Reading I: Exodus 19:2-6a
Reading II: Romans 5:6-11
GOSPEL: Matthew 9:36 – 10:8
Relationship Before Function
The message for this week is basic to our faith. We must try to discover just how much God loves us. It’s important for us to understand the loving act that Jesus’ dying on the cross truly was – back then as well as today. It was also a wonderful act of human love when Jesus commissioned the disciples and sent them to be present to the people. Jesus’ focus was on building relationships and being present among the people. The teaching and preaching came within the context of a relationship.
During a homily at the Ordination of two priests, I once heard the Bishop say something very interesting and very important. He suggested that the first reality of ministry is not functional, but rather relational. Simply put, the question is not what do we do? The question is, how do we develop the relationships in our lives? The relationships he was talking about are the relationship with God and our relationship to each other. He went on to tell the “soon to be priests,” and all of the people in attendance, how important it is to keep such a perspective.
God is close to us!
The idea of being in relationship is something that comes from the pages of the scriptures this weekend. The notion of the love God has for us, and the desire that God has to be close to us.
You shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people
(Exodus 19:5)
Much of the time, we speak of the ways we can stay close to God, but today’s first reading suggests that God initiates a connection with us. We aren’t seeking God first, but rather, God makes the first move. Instead of the scriptures calling on us to seek out God, God says, “hear my voice, and keep my covenant.”
In other words, God says to us, I am always close to you, just listen and respond.
God takes the initiative to be with us! God has always made the first move towards us. The theme of relationship continues in the second reading, when we hear St. Paul tell us:
God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, we will be saved through him…
(Romans 5:10)
In spite of our sin…
The second reading illustrates how much God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. God loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for people who didn’t even see themselves as his followers. In fact, he died while most of the people were still his enemies.
The last words of the second reading suggest that we were saved by Jesus in the midst of great sin, so how much better is it now that we are in a relationship with God. We should boast of God with our lives. Our lives should be a testament to what God has done for us.
…God takes the first step!
The theme of being in relationship continues in the Gospel. God takes another step to bringing his love to everyone.
At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them, because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.
(Matthew 9:36)
Jesus saw the crowd and knew they needed help. So in an effort to focus on the people, Jesus called forward the twelve disciples and told them to go among the people. They were told to seek out the lost. They were to go to the people and remove the obstacles between them and God.
Ordinary people become great!
The disciples chosen by Jesus were not great men by themselves. They were not very educated; they were not rich or chosen because of greatness. The disciples were chosen because they were ordinary people. They went on to be great people because they continued to develop their relationship with God. They were great because of their faith and their actions, which demonstrated such faith. Good news for all of us who try everyday to live out our faith.
The scripture messages this week are to help us know how much God loves us, how important it is for us to understand the loving act that Jesus dying on the cross truly was – for the people back then and for us today – and the demonstration of human love by commissioning the disciples to build relationships with, and be present among, the people.
Living out our faith is not functional but relational!
Life Applications:
What is the difference between fearing God and loving God?
Do your actions brag about the love of God?
What are some ways you can remind others of the love of God?
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A):
Original article by Dcn. Jim Corder, 2002-2023.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.