A Homily for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 66:10-14c; Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
When Jesus sent the seventy-two disciples in today’s Gospel, He sent them on mission — to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near, to bring peace, to heal, and to trust completely in God’s providence. That same mission continues today. Jesus is sending each of us out right now. But what does that look like in our world? Today’s gospel makes it clear that there are six components to this mission.
1. Jesus sends us to bring peace.
In a world marked by division, anxiety, and hostility, we are called to be peacemakers. This means speaking words that build up rather than tear down. It means promoting forgiveness in our families, workplaces, and communities. It means being instruments of reconciliation, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly.
2. Jesus sends us to heal.
We may not all have the gift of physical healing, but every one of us can bring healing to the hearts of others. We heal by listening to those who are hurting. We heal by comforting the lonely, visiting the sick, reaching out to the poor, and standing with the marginalized. Sometimes, simply being present to another person is a profound healing act.
3. Jesus sends us to travel lightly.
He told the disciples to carry no money bag, no sandals, no extra supplies. Why? Because He wanted them to trust God, not their own resources. In our world, this speaks to our need to let go of attachments — to material things, to our reputations, to our need for control. Traveling light means trusting that God will provide what we need when we need it.
4. Jesus sends us to proclaim the Kingdom.
The disciples were to announce that God’s Kingdom is breaking into the world. For us, this means living in such a way that people can see that we belong to Christ. It means witnessing through our kindness, integrity, and joy that God is real and that He reigns. It means courageously sharing our faith when the opportunity arises — not to argue, but to invite.
5. Jesus sends us to accept rejection.
Jesus was clear: not everyone will welcome the Gospel. Some doors will close. Some people will ignore us. Some will mock us. But Jesus tells us not to be discouraged. We are called to faithfulness, not popularity. When we are rejected, He tells us to simply shake the dust from our feet and keep going, knowing that our mission is to serve, not to win approval.
6. Jesus sends us to live the cross.
Ultimately, Jesus sends us to follow His own example — to embrace sacrificial love. This is the heart of the Christian mission: giving ourselves for others, even when it costs us time, comfort, or status. The cross is not just a moment of suffering — it’s the way of life Jesus models for us. As Paul tells us in today’s second reading, we should boast in nothing but the cross — in how we die to ourselves in order to serve others who are in need. This is the path to true joy and fulfillment.
What Does This Mean for Us?
It means that Jesus is sending each of us out — to our families, our parish, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods. We don’t need to go far to proclaim the Kingdom. We don’t need a lot of money or expertise. We don’t need to be perfect. We just need to carry the peace, joy, and sacrificial love of Christ wherever we are.
When we live this mission, we will experience what the seventy-two disciples experienced: deep, lasting joy. Not the fleeting happiness the world offers, but the joy that comes from knowing we are walking in God’s purpose.
So today, let’s pray for the courage to say yes to this mission. Let us remember that we are Jesus’ hands and feet in this world — that we are sent to bring peace to the world, to heal others in their suffering, to travel lightly, trusting God to provide everything we really need.
We are sent to proclaim the kingdom of God to our friends and acquaintances, especially though our attitudes and our deeds. We are also sent to accept rejection from this fallen world, never letting the unbelief of others discourage us.
And, perhaps most importantly, we are sent to live the cross. To embrace our suffering as Christ embraced his suffering. To love and forgive those who hurt us and to give ourselves away for the good of others, even when it costs us.
When we receive the real presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament today, let’s ask Jesus to send us out from this place with lighter hearts, simpler lives, and a burning desire to bring His peace to a world that desperately needs it. This is the key to living a joyful life, a life filled with peace and hope amid our suffering. This is the key to true and lasting happiness as we pass through this fallen world on our journey to our heavenly homeland.
Amen? God bless you.