FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 3, 2022

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Lk 10:1-12, 17-20

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town." The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

REFLECTION

"I am sending you like lambs among wolves."

Harvesting is the process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields. It is the most labor intensive work in the growing season. The goal of good harvesting is to maximize good crop yield, minimize crop losses, and maintain good quality. It is accomplished at the right time with good soil and water. It all began with the sowing of seeds, caring and allowing growth to mature, and finally the reaping of fruit for the harvest.

A few weeks ago we had a discussion with PAPA spiritual advisor, Father Michael, regarding evangelization. One of our members noted that every time she deposited money at the bank, the teller was becoming familiar with her and with the name PAPA. And each time there was a little bit more explanation of PAPA, our work, our spirituality, our mission, vision, vocation and purpose.

Evangelization, like growing crops, can be a painstaking process. Sometimes people are not drawn to PAPA. We might be misunderstood, rejected, questioned, and even some missionaries disbanded or left. The slow, persistent sowing of that one seed by way of contact, connection and conversation with a bank teller brought her to ask questions about PAPA and talk about Jesus, His priests and His church. (excerpted from conversation with Father Michael).

Many of us have family members who don't inquire about PAPA or don't understand why we are on fire for praying for priests. But we persist. We continue, because we give glory to God by spreading His good news. However, at times, it feels as if we are lambs amongst wolves. We should expect opposition and persecution, but Jesus has reassured us that He is always with us.

PAPA is so unique. We follow the Scriptural way of Evangelization. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". All roads or ways are narrow and low. The path of following Jesus is narrow. All truths are narrow, because you have to filter it out and make a choice. It takes courage and patience to seek the truth and keep the truth and allow the truth to take over you. On life, it is a little as a mustard seed. It is as small as a cell of an unborn baby. (excerpted from conversation with Father Michael).

There is only room for Jesus as our way, our truth and our life. We remain in Jesus' love and we do what is necessary to receive His Word, accept it with trust and obedience and reap the abundant fruit of His harvest. Let us go out and tell all the good news of salvation.

God Bless You