14th Week in Ordinary Time 2026 - Friday - Missionary Instructions

 

Chapter 10 of Matthew’s Gospel, from which our weekday Gospel readings have been taken the past few days, is often called Jesus’ “Mission Sermon”. He gave his Sermon on the Mount back on chapters 5 through 7, giving instruction about how to live a holy life, that attitudes and dispositions that we are to cultivate throughout our short time on earth. But in his Mission Sermon the Lord gives instruction about a particular task—the mission of spreading the Gospel.

It is the task of the Church, it is our task, to “make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all the Lord commands.” And for this task, the Lord, as we heard today, gives specific instructions.

First, he explains, he’s sending us like sheep amidst wolves”. The mission of the Gospel is a peaceful mission in a hostile world. Sheep possess no claws, fangs, or armor. The mission of the Gospel is not carried out through physical force. We are to carry out our mission entrusting ourselves to the protection and providence of the Good Shepherd.

Second, “be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves” Christians must not be naïve about the world. We must recognize deception, temptation, and hostility, and act with prudence. Yet our prudence must never become dishonesty or manipulation. We must remain innocent, sincere, and free from malice.

Thirdly, “do not worry about what you are to say”. Fear must not keep us from our missionary task. By all means, study the faith to the best of your ability. Study the Word of God so that it is so rooted in you, that you are able to converse about it, to stranger and kings.

Fourth, Jesus warns that the Gospel may cause division even within families. When one person embraces the faith and another rejects it, painful conflict may result. Nevertheless, we are called to give good Christian example through patience, prayer, and charity to all who disagree with the Church, including our family members.

Finally, Jesus teaches that the persecution of the Church will continue until his return. Christians should not be surprised when the Gospel is mocked, opposed, or punished. Such opposition does not mean the mission has failed. It places us in communion with Christ himself and with the martyrs who faithfully endured before us.

The Lord does not promise that the mission will be easy. But, He promises that his Spirit will remain with us and that those who persevere to the end will be saved.

May we take the Lord’s instruction to heart—may it shape our days—for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Let us offer our prayers to God, who sends his Church to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.

For the Church throughout the world: that she may proclaim the truth of Christ with courage, humility, and unwavering charity, let us pray to the Lord.

For Christians who are persecuted because of their faith: that the Holy Spirit may strengthen them, give them the words they need, and preserve them in fidelity to Christ, let us pray to the Lord.

For families divided by religious belief or practice: that patience, prayer, and loving witness may bring them unity in the truth, let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community: that we may embrace our missionary responsibility and make Christ known through lives of holiness, prudence, sacrifice, and love, let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, the suffering, and all who feel abandoned: that they may experience the protection and consolation of Christ the Good Shepherd, let us pray to the Lord.

For the faithful departed: that, having persevered in faith, they may be welcomed into the joy of God’s eternal kingdom, let us pray to the Lord.

Almighty Father, you call us to proclaim your Son in a world that often resists his truth. Strengthen us by your Spirit, preserve us in faith, and grant what we ask according to your holy will. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

6th Week of Easter 2024 - Friday - Mission impossible

 
In the ancient world, the city of Corinth was a mix between Las Vegas and New York City: it was a wealthy commercial center that gathered traders, sailors and slavers from all over the Roman Empire. And Corinth catered to their depraved appetites—the ancient city of sin was known for every sort of debauchery—the Temple of Aphrodite marking the city skyline was renowned for its temple prostitutes. 

This picture of the moral degradation of Corinth provides the context for St. Paul’s arrival with an astounding message: there is salvation and freedom from sin in Christ! Paul was sent to the drunkards and fornicators to preach Christ.  This was a great challenge. These are people who likely did not want to change. Paul would no doubt be mocked and challenged for preaching conversion and repentance in Corinth, not to mention the hostility from the business owners—sin was big business in Corinth, after all. Talk about Mission Impossible!

But as we heard today, the Lord himself appeared to Paul, and said, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city." This reminds us of God’s reassurance to Moses at the burning bush, Joshua prior to his mission, the Virgin Mary at Nazareth. “Do not be afraid, I am with you” is often God’s response to the fear and trepidation of those to whom he has given a humanly impossible mission. And converting Corinth was certainly a humanly impossible mission.

The Lord assured Paul that there were people in Corinth who would be receptive—soul whom the Lord knew would be receptive to the Gospel if Paul would simply have courage and preach.

And preach he did. Paul stayed in that moral cesspool for a year and a half, teaching those who would be taught. 

Friends, like Paul, we must not be afraid to preach and teach in whatever part of the world we find ourselves. We must not be afraid to call unbelievers to belief and sinners to conversion and to preach Christ crucified. The Lord is with us, he has tasked us with the mission, and he has not left us abandoned in our mission. He wishes to speak through us, teach through us, and make disciples through us. May we be faithful to this great and awesome responsibility, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That the ordained and all members of the Church throughout the world may be a more visible sign of the love of God for humanity, calling all people to new life and communion with Him; and that our parish may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ and his tender love for sinners and for the poor

For those who do not believe in God and for those who have fallen away from the Church.

For an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit among all Christians, and for all who are persecuted for the faith.

That during this month of May, all people may turn their hearts to the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeking her aid and imploring her intercession with increased and fervent devotion, imitating her example of Faith, Hope, and Love. 

For the sick, the suffering, those in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care, for the underemployed and unemployed, for the imprisoned, those with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, that the Spirit of Consolation may comfort them.

For the deceased members of our families, friends and parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all those who fought and died for our freedom.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.