14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C), July 8, 2007
Theme: God Nurtures Us and Sends Us Out On Mission

• We are in the last chapter of Isaiah – called Third Isaiah.
• The citizens of Jerusalem are returning after years of exile in Babylon – present day Iraq.
• Isaiah does not condemn the people for their past offences against God and against each other.
• Instead, the oracle is one of hope and salvation.
• Jerusalem will be restored;
• She will bring comfort to the defeated and deflated people who are gazing on her ruins.
• God, through Jerusalem, will be the Mother to the scattered and frayed children.
•
Many people live in a variety of destroyed environments in our modern world.
• They live with shattering memories of past violence in their homes;
• They suffer at the hands of demanding bosses;
• Their own families might offer them little affection
• They and we need to hear the version of God’s Word - such as this Isaiah text - which draws an image of God in maternal terms.
• God who does not expect us to “shape up” to earn love, but who does want the best for us;
• God who wants to rush to pick us up when we trip on life’s broken sidewalks.

• We experience this nurturing action of God at every Eucharistic Celebration.
• From the opening penitential rite, God’s maternal voice says, “Of course I am ready to forgive you.”
• “Listen to my comforting Word”
• “Eat this special food, and drink from this special cup that I have prepared for you.”

• The nurturing theme continues in today’s Gospel reading from Luke 10.
• Jesus shows concern for the disciples he is sending out on mission.
• He encourages them on their mission
• He helps them lick their wounds upon their return.
• Jesus sends us out today as he sent the seventy-two in the Gospel story.
• A look at the ministries at Blessed Sacrament reveals that those who proclaim the gospel today do it in so many diverse ways:
• Serving at the altar in various ministerial roles;
• Visiting the sick and bereaved;
• Feeding the hungry;
• Working on the Finance Committee;
• Welcoming people at the church doors;
• Stuffing envelopes in the parish office, etc
• Striving for social justice in the community of Hollywood
• We need to encourage and nurture all who share the ministry of Jesus.

• We just celebrated our freedom on July 4th.
• We want our nation to be like the city on the hill that Isaiah describes, where the lost and needy will find rest.
• In America today, that seems to be a partially fulfilled dream with just too many exceptions to the rule!
• God is not only concerned about fulfilling that dream in the next life.
• Rather, the prophets and Jesus challenge us to reflect the reign of God in this time, place and nation.
• (cf. Jude Siciliano, O. P.)

• As we continue with this Liturgy,
• Let us thank God for the maternal hand God always extends to us.
• Let us join together in the Mission of Jesus to nurture one another and proclaim the Kingdom of God
• To the Poor and the Needy
• To the Lonely and the Tired
• To the Isolated and the Self-absorbed
• There is room for all in the New Jerusalem of God’s reign.

• Amen

← Previous Page