Is 66:10-14; Ps 65(66); Gal 6:14-18; Lk 10:1-12,17-20
What Really Matters
Dear friends, today is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The ordinary time readings concentrate on the history of salvation and Christ’s teachings about the Kingdom of God. Our theme today is “what really matters”, and it is derived from today’s Gospel passage, where Jesus is telling his disciples not to rejoice because the spirits submitted to them; instead, that their names are written in heaven. In our lives, we do many things; however, the question is, do all the things we do really matter? The capacity to distinguish between the things that really matter and those that do not is what we call wisdom. Jesus once told Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”(Lk 10:41-42).
In the first reading today, Prophet Isaiah announces the coming of peace to the people who are in great oppression and suffering. The people who were languishing in Babylonian captivity had lost hope of ever returning to their land. More than half of the book of Isaiah contains oracles of judgment due to Israel’s unfaithfulness and bad choices. However, the final chapters shift toward consolation, restoration, and future glory. In life, we pass through moments of great suffering that sometimes drive us to the brink of losing hope. Sometimes the oppressor seems too strong, the obstacles too big for us, and salvation too far; yet, through faith in God’s love and power, we can overcome. Are you going through moments of hopelessness right now? Do you believe that believing in God’s love can help with most of your worries?
The lack of a support base (family, community, friends) or someone to lean on during suffering is driving many to depression and suicide. There are many people suffering all alone because they do not know whom to trust. Christ is the hope that does not disappoint. Faith is the mother of hope because in it we are convinced of better days; hence, we keep on moving forward. Faith lived in a good community can be a great source of hope. No amount of wealth or power can buy hope. When we are in our lowest moments, such as mourning our loved ones, during sickness, or facing rejection, it is family, friends, and our faith communities that come to our aid and provide consolation. It is, therefore, important to invest our resources and energies into building good families, friendships, and faith communities. The first Christians found strength in these faith communities during the persecution.
In today’s Gospel, four themes stand out. The first one is the urgency for more labourers because the harvest is plentiful. The second one is the conduct of the missionary – he or she must totally depend on providence and thus should not take along provisions, because the mission is supposed to take care of the missionary’s needs. Third is the message, which is peace and the advent of the Kingdom. Fourth is the attitude of the missionary – not one of imposing but gentle, including in the face of rejection. When the disciples come back amazed by the power they had, Jesus cautions them not to rejoice because of the wonders they are performing in his name, but because of a higher reward, that is, being admitted into heaven.
Success is sweet, but if we are not careful, it can lead us to pride and even to blasphemy and self-destruction. This can be seen in many modern-day prophets and preachers who become more popular than the ones they preach to. In every generation, false prophets emerge; then they become famous and rich, only for them to disappear into thin air. The problem is that when they disappear from the limelight, they leave behind many devastated lives, broken families, and torn-apart communities. They are seasonal. The ultimate goal for every disciple must be to do the will of his or her master, to make the master known, loved, and adored. Sometimes we get lost in the pomp of being great and successful, and forget the master of the harvest.
Dear friends, there are many things in the world. However, not every one of them is important. The capacity to distinguish between what matters and what does not is a gift from heaven. Many people spend a lifetime occupied with things that are not necessary for a good life. Do you think that the things that occupy most of your time are all necessary for a good life? How would you know?
Have a blessed Sunday.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 