“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (MT 10: 40) 

How important we are to Our Lord—all who receive the disciples of Jesus receive him and God who sent him, and they will be rewarded accordingly. He identifies with us and connects us with His Father. We can bring Him not only to our homes but also to our friends and communities. Sometimes this could bring some persecution to us, but the reward is greater than the danger—“for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.” (DT 30: 14)

Again and again God reminds us how important His word is for us. When “in our mouths,” we can memorize it and recite it, and when “in our hearts,” we can internalize it and appropriate it. When we invite into our mouths and hearts God’s words, which are “Spirit and life,” we can discover better the beauty of His love.

“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ ‘Here I am,’ I said; ‘send me!’” (IS 6: 8)

Being “called” and being “in mission” are part of our identity. We were called to live, called to marriage or called to the consecrated life/priesthood; we have a mission among our families and in society. The only thing Our Lord expects from us is our free choice: “whom shall I send? Who will go for us? ‘Here I am,’ I said, ‘send me!’”

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words, and return to the LORD.” (HOS 14: 2-3) 

God sent his Son, the Word made flesh, to reveal His love for us. He beckons us to “take with us our words” of love for Him and “return to the Lord.” He is ever waiting to forgive us, keeping us always in His heart.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth and remind you of all I told you.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer.” (HOS 11: 3-4)

Our Lord “draws us with human cords, with bands of love.” He draws not by rules, obligations or orders, but “with bands of love.” He doesn’t imitate father’s love, He IS our Father.

“The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (MT 10: 6-7)

Our Lord’s primary concern has always been for “the lost sheep.” While on earth, His outreach centered on the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Today, it extends to include all who are in need, those “lost sheep” who feel abandoned or rejected. As His children, we rest in the knowledge we are loved and His kingdom is at hand.

“The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (MT 9: 37-38) 

This request of Our Lord never ends, never is complete and always needs our collaboration. Sending out preachers of the Gospel depends on God; He is the One who has the initiative. We are asked to pray for this, to open our hearts to His call and to assist with prayer those who are called. Everything in this ministry is based on prayer and trust in God.

“I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart.” (HOS 2: 16)

“The desert” is a very unique place where and when we can come closer to God’s heart, Who chose our hearts as a home for Himself. Sometimes it happens, that it is difficult for us to go there (daily routines, busy times, or even fear to meet God so close), so He also takes care of this, and He Himself ”leads us into the desert.” When we are there, we can communicate with our hearts.

“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (IS 66: 12-13) 

Our relationship with God can be explained in many ways—creatures and their Creator, servants and their Lord, or followers and their Leader, but Our Lord prefers to speak about our relationship in terms of family: He is our Father, He is like our mother—“as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” We are really His children; we are “carried in His arms and fondled in His lap.”

“Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” 

“On that day I will raise up the fallen hut of David; I will wall up its breaches, raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may conquer what is left of Edom and all the nations that shall bear my name, say I, the LORD, who will do this.” (AM 9: 11-12)

“I will raise up.” “I will wall up.” “I will rebuild it.” All these actions are for us and our benefit. Our Lord takes care of us, provides for us and always shows His love for us. The only thing He expects in return is for us to follow Him in love.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)