Words of Spirit and Life

Theme: THE LORD CALLS US TO BE HIS PEOPLE AND TO BE HIS APOSTLES

• Exodus 19:2-6;
• Psalm 99:2-3. 5. R/ v. 3;
• Romans 5:6-11
• Matthew 9:36-10:8

Today is the 11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. The readings today tell us that the Lord calls us to be his people and to be his apostles!

The first reading tells us that the Lord calls us to be his people, just as the Lord called Israel to be his people. Thus we read in the first reading:

“So now, if you are really prepared to obey me and keep my covenant, you, out of all peoples, shall be my personal possession, for the whole world is mine. For me you shall be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.”! (Ex 19:5-6/NJB)  

The responsorial psalm follows the theme of the first reading. The responsorial psalm tells us that even before the Lord called us to be his people; he created us to be his people! Thus we read in the second stanza of the responsorial psalm:

“Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.”! (Ps 99:3/SM)

And thus the response of the responsorial psalm: “We are his people: the sheep of his flock.”! (Ps 99:3/SM)   

Finally, the gospel tells us that the Lord calls us to be his apostles, to proclaim the good news to the whole world, so that all peoples will become the one people of God! Thus we read in the gospel:

“These twelve (apostles) Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’”! (Mt 10:7-8/SM)

The second reading tells us that the good news is that God loves us, that Jesus Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and that having died to make us righteous, how much more will he save us now! Thus we read in the second reading:

“But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.”! (Rm 5:8-9/CSB) 

Today in the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and the risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit, and send us out to proclaim the good news, so that the world may believe and be saved, and so that all peoples may become the one people of God!

Amen!