Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
Father Robert DeCesare, LC

Matthew 9:36-10: 8

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ´The kingdom of heaven has come near.´ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, you have given me much. Thank you for the gifts you have given me, and help me to make use of my talents in the best possible way for the spreading of your kingdom.

Petition: Lord, help me to maximize the use of the talents you have given me.

1. “Sheep Without a Shepherd.” Many people suffer because no one is there to assist them. They are abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Many times, perhaps, we forget Jesus’ words: “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Our lethargy or omission becomes the cause of the suffering of others. It is easy to think that it is up to priests and consecrated persons to provide for the spiritual and material needs of everyone. However, my neighbor is not just the responsibility of an ecclesial institution; he is also my responsibility. If I truly want to be who I say I am -- a Catholic -- then I have to practice charity. “Charity is the greatest social commandment. It respects others and their rights. It requires the practice of justice, and it alone makes us capable of it. Charity inspires a life of self-giving” (CCC, 1889).

2. “The Kingdom of Heaven Has Come Near.”It is easy to get caught up in our daily activities and lose sight of what matters in life. It is easy for us to think that the kingdom of heaven will come at another time, like the end of the world. However, the kingdom of heaven arrives with Christ’s arrival, and that is now. Christ came to proclaim that his kingdom is already among us. And not only do I have to help myself get into the Kingdom, but I have a duty to remind my brother of it as well, and help him get there. As a Christian, I am also the presence of the Kingdom in this world, the leaven that has to transform it.

3. “You Received Without Payment, Give Without Payment.”: God has given each of us talents to be used not just for ourselves, but for others. When we finish our life on earth, he will ask us, “What did you do with the talents I gave you? Your faith, your baptism, the sacraments, your family, your intelligence, your talents, your time….?” We are merely stewards of God’s gifts; but it is up to us to make the most of them –– during the limited time we have on this earth –– for our own good and the good of others.

Dialogue with Christ: Lord, I want to use the talents you have given me as you want and for as long as you want. I know that they are not mine to use as I please. I know my time to use them is short, so help me to use them well.

Resolution: I will take a concrete action to better use my time and talents, especially in order to help someone in need.