Proclaiming the Kingdom of God
july 6, 2025 | 14th sunday in ordinary time, Year C
Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9
In his Encyclical Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis wrote:
“The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness.” Jesus in today’s gospel is sending out 70 disciples to proclaim his kingdom to the world. By appointing the 70, Christ extends his ministry to the wider world, encompassing all nations, as 70 represents the all descendants of Noah. The image of mother here suggests that God is the ultimate source of our comfort. “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble” we can read in Psalm 9:9 and David continues, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4) . In today’s gospel Jesus invites all of us to become laborers of the Gospel. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers of his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves” (Luke 10: 2-3). We are all part of this mission.
How to bring the Good news of Christ
Jesus himself insists on the urgency of simplicity and detachment from material of the disciples in their mission. “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals”. The disciples would rely on God's provision. Do we rely on God in our daily lives? St. John Chrysostom believes that detachment spoken by Jesus is about learning to prioritize one's relationship with God above all else. This includes a conscious effort to loosen one's grip on worldly attachments. When I left my family, this was a hard thing to do. When I had to choose between taking 9 years to become a priest with no assurance of any salary or safety versus becoming high Commissioner of the police while I still had a year at the university, was even a tougher decision to make. But I felt from Jesus, a very strong calling to bring his Good news to the world. I had to learn to prioritize the values of the kingdom and the priority of the power of the cross of Jesus Christ that St. Paul is talking about in the second reading. Paul is inviting you and I to preach the cross of Christ, which sets us free from the world’s bondage and gives us a new identity in Christ. Bringing Christ to the world is our universal mission. Perseverance in being good and doing good are important in this journey. (Cf.Gal. 6)
What is the Message we are to bring to the world today?
The message that we are to bring to the world is Jesus’ message. “The kingdom is near”. How near are you to God's kingdom? Yes, dear friends, In the name of Jesus, we are to bring the message of peace, restoration and rejoicing, newness and God’s comforting presence as we heard in the first reading. “I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent...As mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13). According to the second Vatican Council, we are invited to become agents of the missionary church. How do I bring the gospel of peace, love and reconciliation in our families, churches, communities and cities today? Remember always, you are among the missionaries of God’s kingdom! For Mother Teresa this Missionary work consisted in fostering peace and serving those in need.
Happy Sunday to you All.
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZGO SAC