REFLECTION FOR THE 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C.
by Rev. Fr. Sylvanus Ifeanyi Amaobi
(1st Reading, Isaiah 66:10-14; 2nd Reading, Gal. 6:14-18; Gospel, Luke 10:1-12,17-20)
Dear brothers and sisters, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
THE LORD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS NAME
The Lord always does wonderful things in the lives of His people. These are the causes of our Joy and happiness in the Lord as His children. In the first reading (Is. 66:10-14), the Lord enjoined us to rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because her time of mourning is over. God delivered Jerusalem and made her a mother to nurse her children, comfort them, and feed them from her abundant breast. He spread prosperity over her like a river and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. Thus, he made Jerusalem where His people shall find comfort.
Isaiah's prophecy came after the long ordeal of exile. The news of the end of the exile and the promise of a return home is no doubt gladdening. It was a joy that knows no bounds for the people. God is speaking to us today in a similar manner.
What is it that we are passing through? Is it a situation in our lives that resembles the one the Israelites experienced during their exile? Is it a tragic event in our lives that left us devastated? Or a sickness that leaves us distressed? Are we passing through harrowing and difficult ordeals? Are we grieving the loss of our dear ones? Or even affected by natural disasters and economic meltdowns? The list goes on.
No matter what we are going through, the Lord has some consoling words: the time of mourning is over. "I will spread prosperity over you like a river." In Isaiah 43:19, the Lord says, "See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" Indeed, the Lord is faithful to his name.
THE HARVEST IS GREAT, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW.
We must announce the consoling word of God, the mighty deeds of God, the Good News of salvation, and God's immeasurable love to God's people. Jesus Christ recognized this need and sent out seventy-two men for the mission of spreading the Good News, as we read in the Gospel of today (Lk. 10:1-12,17-20). He gave them specific instructions and made them understand the seriousness and challenges of the mission. They were being sent like lambs among wolves. They were to take the demands of the mission seriously, as it was no child's play.
Jesus Christ also instructed them to offer the peace of the Lord to every household they encountered, to encourage the people, to bring hope, to cure the sick, and to proclaim that the Kingdom of God was at hand. This is reminiscent of Isaiah's message in the first reading. But are we ready to be part of the laborers for this glorious and profound mission?
"The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few," the Lord continues to say. It is the Lord's concern even today. Now and again, Jesus Christ continues to call us to be part of His harvesting team, laborers in His vineyard. Are we ready for that commitment? Like the seventy-two disciples, our task is to announce and comfort the people of God with the Gospel, the Good News of salvation. Our task is to bring Jesus Christ to those who are suffering, marginalized, and rejected.
Our mission and responsibility are to bring to Jesus Christ those who are broken, seeking a healing touch from Christ. We must help them appreciate the love and sacrifice of Jesus through His Passion, death on the Cross, and Resurrection. This, I believe, is the highlight of Paul's preaching to the Galatian Church and the reason for his boasting in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!