Sunday, June 18, 2023

ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Exodus 19, 2-6a; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36-10:8)

With the celebration of the mass today we fully re-enter "ordinary time". It is our opportunity to learn about the ministry of Jesus: how he thinks and how he responds to the challenges of life.

We remember that this year we read from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew on most Sundays. Now we hear how Matthew perceives Jesus assessing the religious situation in Israel. He sees the people "as sheep without a shepherd." Their leaders stress the finer points of the Law like tithing for herbs and spices but fail to teach the great themes like humility and mercy. If the people do not receive more responsible leadership, Jesus knows that they will turn out to be like their current leaders. They will exploit religion to see themselves as "good" while concealing their selfish motives.

One can compare the condition of the People of God now with that of the time of Jesus. When we speak of today's “People of God”, we have in mind the Catholic Church. The Israelites became the original People of God when they arrived at Sinai as the first reading tells us today. Followers of Christ assumed the distinction with the reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Unfortunately, in many places the People of God seem disillusioned. Most Catholics do not participate in the mass. Young people don't even want to be identified as “Catholics”. But the problem goes deeper. Many attend Mass mainly out of habit. They do not want to be perfected in Christ. Nor do they want to take responsibility for the good of the community. Rather, they are content with mediocrity.

Bishops seek solutions to the waning fervor of the faithful. They sponsor training classes and renewal programs. They promote movements like “the Road to Emmaus” and “Christ Renews the Church of him”. But they are fighting against a culture that has become hostile to religion. The scandal of sexual abuse has created doubts. Science has also been successful in providing remedies for all kinds of difficulties and answers to most human questions.

Jesus uses a new strategy to face the challenge in Israel. He calls the best of his disciples to preach the Kingdom of God on the roadsides. He provides them with the power to heal, to cast out demons, and, incredibly, to raise the dead. He tells them not to take for their ministry.  It is not their ability that performs miracles but that of the Holy Spirit.

We need volunteers today like the apostles to take responsibility for the well-being of the Church. Young people may sacrifice a year or two to do full-time ministry after completing their basic education. Opportunities already exist to serve as campus ministers and as lay missionaries abroad. Adults can commit to a lay ministry that serves those on the margins of the community. We need people to go in groups to nursing homes to bring the Word of God along with Holy Communion.

Today we celebrate Father's Day. It is time to thank our dads. Why? Simply for passing on their genes to us? No, this took no effort. In addition to providing for our material needs, we honor our fathers for teaching us responsibility. The best fathers instruct their children how to be responsible to God and to their wives. They show responsibility for the family and for the Church, the People of God.