Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Today's Word
Ex 19:2-6a; Rom 5:6-11; Mt 9:36-10:8 Read at USCCB
Real Talk
God tells Israel at Sinai: I carried you on eagle wings and brought you to myself. The destination wasn't the Promised Land - it was me. You are my special possession, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
Paul says: while we were still helpless, while we were still enemies, Christ died for us. The timing is what proves the love - not when we deserved it, while we didn't.
Jesus sees the crowds and his heart is moved with pity. Like sheep without a shepherd. Troubled and abandoned. He doesn't analyze the crowd. He is moved. Then: the harvest is abundant, laborers are few. Ask the master to send laborers. Then he commissions the Twelve and sends them.
The heart moved with pity sends people into the harvest. Freely received, freely given.
One Prayer
Lord, let my heart be moved with pity for the people around me who are troubled and abandoned. Send me into the harvest. Freely received, freely given. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
Your Challenge
The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. Ask the master to send laborers - and ask whether you are one. Name one person in your immediate world who is troubled and abandoned, like a sheep without a shepherd. What is one concrete act this week that moves toward them?
You are not alone. Submit your intentions and they'll be carried to Holy Hour this Sunday.
Take to Holy Hour