14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C
HE GUIDES OUR STEPS
The gospel today (Lk 10) calls us
to follow the Lord in his mission of saving people for the Kingdom. Indeed, the call to pray for more
laborers, for more workers, in the harvest of the Lord, is always valid and
always relevant (v 2). Let us truly pray for many more people, priests and
sisters, missionaries, laymen and women, families and young people, who will
find it in their heart to offer their lives for the love of God and the good of
their brothers and sisters. When we pray for vocations, we pray for ourselves.
But what does the Lord do to
those whom he calls to follow him and to be sent for a mission? Often people do not wish to do say yes
because we only focus on the hardships, the challenges, the difficulties of
serving the Lord. However the gospel today points out to us the action of God
working so powerfully in those he calls to follow him and then sent to their
special mission.
The gospel mentions several times
the phrase, “into whatever city you enter” and “into whatever home you
enter”. What does it mean? Jesus is giving his disciples courage
and strength to “enter” into any place and any situation that awaits them. He
is assuring them that he is with them in their mission, that he will never turn
his back on his people.
When we follow the call of God to
do something good for him and for others, don’t we also experience doors
opening to us? The Lord touches people’s hearts to welcome us. He touches their
hearts to receive us and share their blessings with us to accomplish our
mission.
Wherever we go, house or city,
the peace we bring is the peace we also encounter (v 5). Wherever we enter,
food and drink, meaning to say, resources we need, will not be lacking (v 7). Wherever we enter, even the sick will
feel our presence; we will be instruments of healing (v 9).
Do you feel God calling you to a
special mission? It need not be big or grandiose, but any mission of love and
service for the people around you – family, friend, neighbor, co-worker - pray
for the grace to say yes. Do not be afraid. Into whatever place or situation
you enter, Jesus is there with you. He is there waiting for you to assist you
to be faithful and to be successful.
