11th Sunday Ordinary Time
Fr. Mark Gatto
Preached: June 18, 2023
Someone I knew from a previous parish recently sent me the lyrics for a song by Bob Dylan called, “With God On Our Side.” It reflects on the tendency to think God is on my side and against the other side. Dylan was looking at his own American experience of seeing God as being in their side. One of the dangers of religion is when we are convinced that God is on our side and that the other side is our enemy to be rejected.
We see Jesus choosing disciples and then sending them out. In fact, one of the signs of being a true Christian is that we are sent out. If we come to Mass faithfully and regularly but are not sent out by Jesus, then it is not meaningful in being a Christian. Jesus sends us out. Each of us need to ask ourselves, where am I being sent by Jesus? To whom am I being sent by Jesus?
If you are married, then begin by looking to your spouse and marriage. Certainly Jesus is sending you there. If you have children and a family, then begin by looking to them. Certainly Jesus is sending you there. As a priest, I need to begin by looking to you and this parish. Certainly Jesus is sending me there.
If you are elderly or physically limited in some way, then begin by looking to who could use your prayer. Certainly Jesus is sending you to pray for others. If you are a student, then begin by looking to where you study. Certainly Jesus is sending you there. If you are working and have some career. Begin by looking there.
A Police officer should see their duty as being sent by Jesus. Those in health care should see their duty as being sent by Jesus. Those in education should see their duty as being sent by Jesus. Those working as a cashier should be there as though sent by Jesus. Person working in the Amazon warehouse should be there as though sent by Jesus.
Each one of us, if we are to be a disciple of Jesus need to see where and to whom Jesus is sending us.
But, what is Jesus sending us to do in our families, in our schools, in our workplaces, in whatever vocation we have? Jesus says, “proclaim the good news.” We are to bring peace, healing, overcome divisions, embrace those excluded by others like the lepers. Are we instruments of good news in the world, where we live and work and play?
One of the dangers in this feeling called and sent by Jesus, is that we can go out thinking that we are superior to others. That God is on our side and against the others. But, in the end Jesus says, “you have received without payment; give without payment.” In other words, we do not live our Christian faith, we do not strive to follow Jesus, we do not give of ourselves for others, in order to receive anything in return.
As Christians we need to avoid triumphalism or a sense of superiority. We need to be a humble church as we are sent out by Jesus
Jesus wants to send you out as one of his disciples to bring his good news into our world. It is not that God is on our side, rather, God is on the side of all. God is on the side of goodness, truth, justice, love. We are sent to bring God’s good news to all for God is on the side of all.
