Fourteenth Sunday of the Year (Year C)

Fourteenth Sunday of the Year July 06, 2025

Isaiah 66:10-14; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

(Image copurtesy: Google)

There is a story of a chaplain who was serving on the battlefield. He came across a young man who was lying in a shell hole, seriously wounded. "Would you like me to read something from this book, the Bible?" he asked. "I'm so thirsty, I'd rather have a drink of water." The soldier said. Hurrying away, the chaplain soon brought the water. Then the wounded man said, "Could you put something under my head?" The chaplain took off his overcoat, rolled it up, and gently placed it under the man's head for a pillow. "Now," said the suffering man, "if I just had something over me, I'm feeling cold." The chaplain immediately removed his jacket and put it over the wounded man to keep him warm. Then the soldier looked the chaplain straight in the eye and said, "If there is anything in that book that makes a man do for another all that you have done for me, then please read it, because I'd love to hear it."

The Gospel of today tells us that Jesus summoned his seventy committed people and sent them two by two to communicate God’s love, to bind up wounds, and to be peacemakers in a troubled world. These ordinary people took with them no great plan, no set speech, and no practical manual to tell them what to do. They brought only their faith, their trust, and their experience of Jesus. They in fact had lived with him and had experienced him.  Jesus also knew that they would make mistakes. In spite of this, he called them to himself, gave them his mission, and gave them his authority, to heal, rectify, and bring people back to life.

The First Reading gives us a breathtakingly tender picture of God's ultimate promise. Isaiah addresses a people likely returned from exile but facing hardship, disillusionment, and the daunting task of rebuilding. To them, and to all weary souls, God speaks through the prophet. 

The Gospel presents Jesus sending out 72 disciples ahead of Him. This is not just an event from the past-it is a model for every believer today. Let us unpack this powerful scene with care:

1. Sent in Pairs:

Jesus sends them “two by two.” Why? Because mission is not a solo act. Christian life is built on relationships. We need community, accountability, encouragement, and shared witness. In a world of increasing individualism, this reminds us: God works through fellowship.

2. The Harvest is Abundant:

Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.” It’s not a statement of scarcity, but of opportunity. There are people everywhere hungering for truth, peace, love, and meaning. God is asking us to step up—not out of obligation, but out of love for those waiting.

3. Go as Lambs Among Wolves:

This is both sobering and encouraging. Jesus is honest: “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” We are not promised comfort, success, or applause. But we are promised His presence and protection. Our strength lies not in power, but in vulnerability—like the Lamb who was slain.

4. Travel Light:

“Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals.” This isn’t just about material things; it’s a deeper call to depend on God, not our own resources. Detachment is key to effective mission. When our hearts are free, God can work through us.

5. Proclaim Peace and Stay Where You Are Welcomed:

“Say, ‘Peace to this house.’” The disciples are bearers of peace—shalom—a peace that restores wholeness. If people reject it, they move on without anger or resentment. Mission is not about control or coercion, but invitation and respect.

6. Rejoice in God, Not in Success:

The disciples return, excited: “Even the demons submit to us!” But Jesus gently redirects them: “Do not rejoice that spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Joy rooted in God’s love—not in achievements—is lasting and real.

Let me share the story of Sr. Antonia, a nun who served for 35 years in a war-torn African village. She was not famous. She never published books or led huge revivals. But she nursed the sick, taught children under trees, prayed with grieving mothers, and brought hope with her smile.

One day, a young man asked her: “Sister, why do you stay here when the war gets worse?” She simply said, “Because God has not left, so I cannot leave. If I bring peace to one child’s heart, it is worth it.”

Years later, her small mission became a school, a clinic, and a chapel. People remembered her not because of grandeur, but because she brought peace, joy, and hope—just like the 72 disciples.

How can we live today’s Gospel in our daily lives?

What about starting with Prayer: Before sending the 72, Jesus must have prayed. Mission begins in prayer. Ask each day: Lord, whom do You want me to serve today? Let go of excess. We do not need everything to follow Christ. Detachment creates space for grace.

Let us be Peace Bringers: In our family, classroom, workplace—be the one who calms, who listens, who heals with words.

Let us Embrace Rejection Gracefully: Not everyone will welcome the message. Don’t get discouraged. Move on in peace.

Let us rejoice in God’s Love: Don’t define your worth by what you do, but by who you are—beloved of God, known by name.

Today, we are all called to be modern-day disciples—ordinary people with an extraordinary mission. The world is longing for authentic witnesses who carry the peace, joy, and hope of the Gospel. Like Isaiah’s image of a nurturing mother, like Paul’s call to be a new creation, and like the 72 disciples full of holy joy, we are sent to proclaim: “The Kingdom of God has come near to you.”

Let’s go forth with courage and joy, knowing that Christ walks with us. And let our deepest joy always be this: Our names are written in heaven.

Happy Sunday 

Feast of Peter and Paul Apostles, June 29, 2025

 Feast of Peter and Paul Apostles, June 29, 2025

Acts 12:1-11; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19

(image courtesy: Google)

In the 1980s, Ryuichi Honda, a former Japanese yakuza gangster, led a life of crime, drugs, and revenge. He was ruthless, feared, and utterly lost. One night, in a gang battle, he was nearly killed. Haunted by what he had done, he was incarcerated. There, another prisoner gave him a Bible—not to save his soul, but merely to mock its "uselessness." In idle malice and boredom, Honda started to read it. But when he read the Gospels, he was taken aback by the character of Jesus—this man who forgave his enemies, who selected imperfect disciples, who gave His life for love. For the first time, Ryuichi cried.

He saw himself in Peter, who had abandoned his Lord but was shown mercy. He saw himself in Paul, a fierce man who was transformed by a encounter with Christ. Slowly, his heart was transformed. He repented, was baptized, and when released, devoted his life to serving delinquent youth and prisoners in Japan, sharing the Gospel that had changed him.

He also once said, "I was the worst of men, but Jesus saw something in me. Like Paul, I was blind. And like Peter, I was forgiven."

We honour today two great pillars of the Church—Saint Peter and Saint Paul—whose lives were changed by their encounter with Jesus and whose witness continues to shape the Church today.

These two people were very different:

Peter, the fisherman, impulsive and down-to-earth, whom Jesus selected as the rock upon which the Church would be established.

Paul, a learned Pharisee, who had once persecuted the Christians, afterwards Apostle to the Gentiles, zealous in service and deep in doctrine.

But though they were from different backgrounds and personalities, their lives intersect in martyrdom, religion, and unwavering devotion to Christ.

"You are Peter, and upon this rock I will establish my Church…"(Matthew 16:18)

Here, let us start with Peter. Jesus, in the Gospel, poses the question to His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter, with insight born of inspiration, responds: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.".

Jesus finds the spark of God in Peter's response and makes him the rock on which He will build His Church. But already a couple of verses in, Peter tries to dissuade Jesus from going to the cross and gets sternly rebuked: "Get behind me, Satan!"

What a paradox—lovely, indeed—rock and stumbling block, both Peter. The message is clear: God uses people who are not perfect to do His perfect will.

You and I can identify with Peter as feeling that we are not worthy. We can have failed, doubted, or denied Christ in our manner. But the Feast of Peter reminds us that failure is never final if we yield to grace. Jesus does not demand perfect servants. He desires faithful ones.

In the first reading, Peter is imprisoned by King Herod. Bound and guarded, he appears completely hopeless. But during the stillness of night, an angel shows up. Chains drop off, doors swing open, and Peter walks out free.

What an effective symbol! Chains cannot bind the one for whom God sets free. This is not merely a vision of bodily freedom; it symbolizes the deeper spiritual reality that no prison—fear, guilt, sin, or despair—can bind the soul that is fully surrendered to God. Peter was not freed for himself. Peter was freed for mission—to preach, to shepherd, to strengthen others. We too are freed—through Confession, through healing, through truth—not for the sake of feeling better, but for the sake of becoming better and serving.

Paul's words in the second reading are triumphant and gentle. He is writing this letter to Phoebe from prison, with death staring him in the face. His tone is not despairing, however. He has done all that he could. His hope has not wavered. And he is confident of the Lord's reward.

His phrase "I am already being poured out like a libation" is particularly moving. In the ancient world, a libation was a drink offering poured out before the gods—a symbol of total abandonment. Paul sees his life in the same way: not something to cling to, but something to pour out in love.

What are we sacrificing our lives for? For success, validation, security? Or like Paul, for something eternal?

Peter stands for the institutional Church—leadership, unity, order. Paul stands for the missionary Church—going out, evangelizing, conforming. We require both.

The Church is rooted and adventurous, solid and lively. In times of polarization and disintegration, Peter and Paul teach us that unity is not sameness. Our diversity of gifts, temperament, and callings can serve for one end: to make Christ known and loved.

Peter and Paul were martyred in the city of Rome, distant from the Galilean shores or the Damascus roads. Their blood sanctified a city that had crucified Christ. Rome, the city of tyranny, became the heart of the faith. Why? Because these men had the faith that nothing—prison, suffering, death—could ever take away from the love of Christ.

We are called to live with the same valor today. We are not locked behind prison bars, but we are frequently trapped by the world, by apathy, or by fear. Like Peter, we are called to acknowledge Christ boldly. Like Paul, we are called to run the race and finish strong.

The greatest sermon is a life of love and sacrifice. Let us be Peter—faithful when we fall. Let us be Paul—courageous when we face opposition.

On this holy feast, let us give thanks to God for the gifts of Peter and Paul, the rock and the fire, the shepherd and the missionary. Their courage, their passion, and their complete abandonment continue to challenge and inspire the Church. Let us walk in their footsteps. Let us build the Church on faith like Peter and set the world aflame with the passion of Paul.

Happy Feast