11th Sunday - A (June 18, 2023)

Go, Preach, and Heal

Matthew 9:36 – 10:8

 

Jesus has been going “to all the towns and villages, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness” (9:35).

 

Then, he commissioned the disciples to do the same. 

 

He shared his missions with them.  He now shares his mission with us.

 

In order to proclaim the gospel and to be instruments of God’s healing, we must first imitate Jesus’ compassion whose “heart was moved with pity” for the people, second, be mindful that Jesus gives us the authority, and third, be generous (“Without cost you have receive, without cost you are to give”). 

 

Image source: Sacred Heart of Jesus by Pompeo Batoni, www.wikipedia.org

 

11th Sunday - B (June 13, 2021)

 

Small Things
Mark 4: 26-34

Jesus speaks of the small things that matter.

All of us probably have experienced how a word, a gesture, a moment of carelessness or thoughtlessness could ruin a relationship or a project that we had taken months or even years to cultivate or develop.

We also know that we can touch people's heart with a genuine word of support, a kind gesture, or a thoughtful action.

Jesus tells us that so it is about the kingdom of God.  A word, a gesture, an action... can be the small seed of the kingdom of God.  Once planted, it is God who lets it grow and yield fruit.  

Last week, we celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi...  A small piece of bread, a sip of wine are now the Body and Blood of the Savior.  

Small Things that bring us God's love and salvation. 

 

Image source:  www.qumran2.net

 

11th Sunday - B (June 17, 2018)

The Mustard Seed of God’s Love

Mark 4: 26-34

This Gospel passage calls us to trust in the small things knowing that we are doing God’s work. 

God’s work is for the salvation of all God’s creation.  Anything and everything that God gives me to do is that mustard seed.  “Through it all the seed would sprout, grow, and yields fruit; and I know not how.”  It is indeed God’s work of love of which I am privileged to be a part.    

The small mustard seed becomes a great shrub.

Image source: www.agnusday.org

11th Sunday - C

Commentary 

Luke  7:36 - 8:3

Prophet - One Who Tells Fortunes

But Whose Fortunes?

A prophet is commonly, and even incorrectly, described as one who can predict the future, or one who tells fortunes. 

Simon the Pharisee in this Gospel passage expects a prophet to know the inner secrets and even the hearts of people.  But Simon only sees negative things.  So, he quickly dismisses any possibility of Jesus being a prophet when Jesus does not meet his pessimistic expectations.  

Jesus, the true Prophet, tells a different kind of fortunes.  He knows God's graciousness and love for God's children. Consequently, Jesus recognizes God's forgiveness at work. He recognizes the woman's great love in her action and courage as her response to God's forgiveness. 

Jesus the Prophet tells God's fortunes. 

11th Sunday - C (June 12, 2016)

Readings

Image Source:  http://www.agnusday.org

11th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 7: 36 – 8:3

Forgiveness and Love

Jesus gives the explanation for the woman’s action, “Her many sins are forgiven because she has shown great love.”

It can be interpreted: she received forgiveness as a result of her great love.  But that would give the impression that God forgives sins with certain condition, or one can earn forgiveness.

However, with the parable of the two people whose debts are forgiven, Jesus teaches that “greater forgiveness brings greater love.” [1]  And he repeats the teaching in the next sentence, “The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”  

In other words, love is the result of forgiveness.  

We can only love God when we have known and accepted God’s unconditional forgiveness.

In the case of the woman in this passage, her appreciation for the gift of forgiveness empowers her to go to a place where she is not welcome, and to show her great love for Jesus in the most extraordinary way.  [2].

In this woman, once a sinner, we witness the power of God’s forgiveness.

------------------------ 

[1]  The New Jerusalem Bible.  New York, Doubleday, 1990.  Footnote, P. 1701.

[2] Francis J. Moloney, The Gospel of the Lord, Reflections on the Gospel Readings Year C. Collegeville, MN. Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 137.

11th Sunday - C (June 16, 2013)

Readings

Image source: http://www.simonhoadalat.com/