14th Sunday of Ordinary Times

In his letters to the Romans, Paul says that one cannot believe in Christ without first having heard about him. Faith depends on preaching (Roman 10:14-17). The Gospel of today begins by recalling the need for people who will announce the word of God, it goes on to show how they should carry out their mission. They are reminded not to be discouraged, that evil has already been defeated and the victory of the kingdom of God is assured. The first reading is in line with this last part of the Gospel. When troubles come we should not forget that the promises of God will always realized. The lamb does not reply on its own strength but on the help of the shepherd: a child may be weak, but is safe in the arms of its mother. The second reading is also about this. Paul says that his glory is in the cross of Christ. Those who proclaim the Gospel must not rely on their own strength. Our strength comes from the word that we proclaim.

           The preaching of Jesus, the proclamation of the 72, is “The kingdom of God is near”. The kingdom is something we cannot see now, but it is near for those who see it in faith. It is Joy beyond imagining. St. Mother Teresa related how one evening she and her sisters picked up four people from the street. She asked the sisters to take care of three of them. She took ownership of the one who was suffering most. “I put her to bed, and there was such a beautiful smile on her face. She took hold of my hand, as she said one word only: Thank you- and she died.” As missionaries of the Good News, we all are called to help spread the Gospel of divine love. Do you know someone who needs to hear that God is near? How can you best share that Good News? Your mind is a garden; your thoughts are the seeds. Cultivate positively. The African proverb says, “A cat that dreams of becoming a lion must lose its appetite for rat.”