“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)
“If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (2 TM 2: 11-13)
How lucky we are that our Lord gave us not only “a famine for hearing” His word, but also Himself to answer all our hungers. We can listen to Him when His word is proclaimed during the Mass, look at Him in the Blessed Sacrament and receive Him in Holy Communion, to say nothing of His constant presence in our hearts. He is the answer to all our needs and burdens.
“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” (MT 16: 13-16)
The most important mission of St. Peter was to recognize the true identity of Jesus Christ and to teach the whole Church about Him. Our Lord expected from Peter only love, and this was the main question He asked him after the resurrection—do you love Me more? Only love brings true answers.
“You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’” (MT 8: 24-25)
Our Lord is always with us and for us. Sometimes He only needs to hear from us what we need from Him. It doesn’t matter what it is: the blind need to see, a dead son needs to go back to his mom, the deaf would like to hear. “They came and woke him, saying, Lord, save us! We are perishing!” Our first fought should always go to Him—Lord, save us! Jesus, we trust in You!
“I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” (MT 8: 20)
Our hearts are places where Our Lord can rest. All He needs is our willing, open heart and our love. We can walk with Him in our hearts; we can pray with Him; we can take Him to our friends and our homes, to our work and on shopping trips. We are His home.
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (GAL 5: 16-18)
Many times we need to make decisions, some more important than others. Choosing a bread for dinner or a different school for our son are not decisions of equal importance. When we are “guided by the Spirit,” we have a better chance of making a wise decision—we will protect our dignity and our relationships. When guided by “the flesh,” we will choose only what appears good for us.
“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the words of everlasting life.” (Gospel Acclamation)
