Receive for Free. Return for Free . . . 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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11th Sunday Ordinary Time - June 18th, 2023 (Click Here for Readings)
As Moses reminded the Israelites how God pulled them out of slavery and bored them up on eagle wings, they were now expected to give back by demonstrating their holiness and priestly kingdom as a nation.
God tells us as well how special we are to him and the opportunities we have to go out and evangelize for his kingdom. Through our baptism, we’ve been made as the Israelites were, “a kingdom of priests” to proclaim God’s greatness by our words, our embodiment and deeds.
If we ever feel that we're not fit for the task, or are nothings or nobodies as the Israelites did after their life of slavery, just know that God has made us as much of a “special possession” as he did of them.
As St. Paul tells the Romans, Christ gave away his life on earth to save ours for eternity. And he gave it for the worst of us while we were still in sin. If Christ died for us before we were reconciled, how much more will he do for us and save us now that we are reconciled; now that he is living in us as our friend?
Our unworthiness of God’s gift of his son and eternal life in his kingdom is astounding. In our deepest gratitude, we should be upholding the royal priesthood of our baptismal vows by freely giving back the many blessings we’ve freely received, and proclaiming God’s greatness to all whom we encounter.
Think of the many less fortunate today who are like the lost, confused and downtrodden Israelites who needed to be reminded of God’s love for them. Think of the “troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” that Jesus saw and was moved with pity in today’s Gospel from Matthew.
Many who are lacking in faith today are the sheep being attacked by predators; who are lost, scattered, in jobs they’re enslaved to, in bad relationships, financially troubled, confused, harassed, helpless, excluded and ostracized.
They’re looking for solutions to peace, fulfillment and purpose on their own, but often relying on all the wrong sources with vain solutions, and definitely without Jesus as their Shepherd.
But we as a faithful part of Jesus body, can be the reliance they need by giving back the time, talents, and treasures that we’ve been showered with. We can be among the “few laborers for the abundant harvest” of lost and needy souls.
We may not have the power to heal, drive out unclean spirits or cure many sicknesses as Jesus commissioned his apostles to do, but we can spiritually prepare people to better deal with their circumstances and live more abundant faith-filled lives.
We’ve gained our faith and spirituality for free. Perhaps it’s time to give back to the harvest for free.
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