A Homily for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, May 14, 2026
Exodus 19:2-6a; Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36—10:8
Audio Recording
Have you ever noticed how many people around us are lonely, discouraged, or simply overwhelmed? Sometimes we assume that because we live in a connected world, people are well cared for. Yet many carry heavy burdens that no one sees.
They may be grieving the loss of a spouse, struggling with illness, worried about their family, or simply feeling forgotten. They come to church, shop at the grocery store, sit in waiting rooms, and live in our neighborhoods. Outwardly they may seem fine, but inwardly they feel exactly as Jesus describes in today’s Gospel: “troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”
When Jesus looked upon the crowds, He did not see a mass of strangers. He saw individuals. He saw their wounds, their fears, and their need for God. And the Gospel tells us that His heart was moved with pity for them. The original Greek word used here implies a deep, gut-level compassion. Jesus was not merely concerned about them; He loved them.
That same compassionate gaze of Christ is directed toward us. Before Jesus sends His apostles out on mission, He first sees the suffering of the people. That is important. The Church’s mission begins not with programs or strategies but with the heart of Christ. Everything starts with His love.
We hear that same love proclaimed in today’s second reading from Romans. St. Paul reminds us that “while we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly.” God did not wait until we were worthy. He did not wait until we had our lives perfectly together. Christ came for us while we were sinners. He entered our broken world, took our sins upon Himself, died on the Cross, and rose from the dead so that we could be reconciled with God.
That is the heart of the Gospel—the basic proclamation of our faith. We are loved by God, saved by Jesus Christ, and invited into a new life through Him.
The first reading helps us understand who we are because of that saving love. At Mount Sinai, God tells Moses that Israel will be His “special possession,” a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation.” God was not choosing Israel because they were the largest or strongest nation. He chose them because He loved them and wanted them to be a sign of His presence to the world. The same is true for us. Through Baptism, we have become God’s people. We are not simply members of an organization. We are a holy people called to belong to Christ and to make Him known.
That brings us to the challenge found in today’s Gospel. Jesus looks at the crowds and says, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” We often hear those words and immediately think about priests, deacons, sisters, and missionaries. Certainly Jesus is speaking about vocations to ordained and religious life. We should always pray for more laborers in the vineyard. But the Gospel is broader than that. Every baptized Christian is called to participate in Christ’s mission. Every one of us is called to be a laborer in the harvest.
Sometimes we underestimate the impact we can have. We may think our best years are behind us or that we do not possess special talents. Yet notice whom Jesus chooses as apostles. He does not select scholars, kings, or celebrities. He chooses fishermen, a tax collector, and ordinary men with ordinary backgrounds. They are imperfect, sometimes fearful, and often confused. Yet Jesus sends them because His power works through human weakness. The same is true today.
Many of you know that some of the most effective evangelists in a parish are not the clergy. They are the parishioners who welcome a newcomer, visit a sick friend, make a phone call to someone who is lonely, teach a child to pray, or quietly serve behind the scenes. Sometimes a simple act of kindness becomes a powerful witness to Christ. A smile, a listening ear, an encouraging word, or an invitation to Mass can become an instrument of God’s grace.
I am reminded of the years when Christine and I helped lead a homeless ministry in Knoxville. Month after month, volunteers gathered food, loaded tables and supplies into a van, drove downtown, and served hundreds of people experiencing homelessness. There were days when we were tired. There were days when it would have been easier to stay home. But we kept going because those people were counting on us. More importantly, Christ was present in those we served. What we discovered was that ministry is not simply about helping others. It is about allowing God to work through us. Often we came home more blessed than the people we had served.
Jesus concludes today’s Gospel with a striking command: “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Think about everything we have received from God. We have received life itself. We have received faith. We have received forgiveness. We have received the sacraments. We have received families, friendships, abilities, opportunities, and countless blessings. None of these were earned. They are gifts. And because they are gifts, we are called to share them.
One day, each of us will stand before the Lord. He may ask us, “What did you do with the gifts I entrusted to you? What did you do with your faith? Your time? Your talents? Your opportunities to love?” He will not ask how famous we became or how much wealth we accumulated. He will ask whether we loved as He loved.
The good news is that we do not undertake this mission alone. The same Jesus who looked upon the crowds with compassion looks upon us today. He strengthens us through His Word and nourishes us with His Body and Blood. He gives us the grace we need to serve Him faithfully.
As we approach the altar to receive Holy Communion today, let us ask the Lord for two gifts. First, let us ask for His compassionate heart, so that we may truly see those around us who are troubled and abandoned. Second, let us ask for the courage to respond. The harvest is still abundant. There are still sheep in need of a shepherd. There are still people longing to know that they are loved by God.
May we each be willing laborers in the Lord’s vineyard, freely giving what we have freely received, and helping others discover the saving love of Jesus Christ.
God bless you.