Homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The scene in our Gospel passage today clearly depicts Jesus delegating His mission and authority to His disciples. They go out and then return to Jesus, reporting the work they have done in His name. This is the ongoing commissioning of the Church by Jesus, a delegation that He continues to share with us today.

It's truly amazing that God the Father entrusts us with the mission of His Son. His work and mission are to be expressed in our actions and lives. The Church's preaching, liturgy, and service are not simply about God; they are God Himself acting in and through us.

However, we can become so focused on the problems, abuses, scandals, and incompetence of some Church members and leaders that we overlook the deeper reality that God is working through us despite our flaws.

Taking on this incredible responsibility, it's natural for us to wonder if we are up to the task. We are told that "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." This expresses a strong sense that the job we have been given may be overwhelming, and there might be too much to do given our current capacity and capabilities.

We are also reminded that "the kingdom is at hand," which creates a sense of urgency. When a harvest is ready, it must be reaped before it spoils, adding pressure due to time constraints.

Moreover, we are described as "lambs among wolves," indicating that not everyone will support our efforts. Some may be indifferent, while others may actively work to thwart our mission. This situation may seem like a no-win scenario.

We are called "laborers," not supervisors, managers, or executives. This signifies active engagement, often requiring us to handle tasks that may feel menial or tedious. Labor can sometimes seem endless and unrewarding.

We are expected to be entirely devoted to this work. Inherent in this portrayal is the image of Christ Himself, the laborer completely consumed by His mission, the one among us who is "He who serves." We, who are delegated, are called to identify with the One who is sending us.

We are called to service and self-forgetfulness. Jesus sends His disciples out with only the essentials, instructing them to "carry no money bag, no sack, and no sandals." We aren't provided with abundant equipment or tools: no credit card, mobile phone, or tablet—none of the possessions that offer security and comfort. The Roman soldiers referred to their baggage as "impedimenta" because it made travel difficult; it was an impediment to mobility.

Jesus understands that possessions and security can be impediments to our freedom and focus, preventing us from dedicating ourselves fully to what is truly important in our lives.

Too often, we labor and stress over what is ultimately unimportant, exhausting ourselves by focusing our energies on minor issues. Embracing poverty of spirit and simplicity helps us recognize what is most important. A disciple of Christ will be marked by simplicity and single-mindedness.

St. Paul alludes to a Christian principle of self-sufficiency in his letter to the Philippians: "I know how to be full and how to be empty, how to have plenty and how to have nothing." This principle embodies the freeing capacity to live authentically, based on our true selves rather than our external circumstances. We can allow our inner nature to shine through.

At the beginning of His delegation to His disciples, Jesus says, "Go on your way." The origins of our mission lie in this divine command, which pierces through our hesitation, fear, and doubt. We need to heed this Word beyond the distractions that can fill our minds and lives. By doing so, we can live lives formed by the Word of God. When Jesus tells us to rejoice because our names are written in heaven, He gives us joy in knowing that we are personally known by God and that the stories of our lives hold significance in eternal life.