Sent Together:
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2025
July 6, 2025
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Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-20
The disciples of Jesus were filled with hope and enthusiasm when they were sent on mission two-by-two to proclaim the kingdom of God. Their modest instructions made them credible to the people to whom they were sent, and they relied upon God and their hosts to provide for them. They were to be respectful, kind, and speaking delicate, peaceful, non-violent language to the villagers. They were sent in pairs, most likely not for safety purposes, but so that they could share their stories and process all that was happening to them. They came back rejoicing, and Jesus invited them to share their accounts with him and the larger community of disciples.
Do our stories today share the same enthusiasm? I recall the years right after Vatican II was introduced. It was filled with hope, enthusiasm, and excitement as people learned where the Holy Spirit was leading them. Bishops spoke freely from their hearts about anti-war platforms, social justice initiatives, and care for those in greater need. Priests engaged in social ministries alongside women religious and the laity with equal energy. Ministries, like teaching in a parochial school, were opened to the laity, and people found new ways to serve the faith responsibly. Charismatic groups formed, new types of ministries were inaugurated, and liturgies were adapted to distinct communities. Catholics shared a sense of camaraderie and that we were all in this enterprise together – with freedom to express ourselves in the Spirit of the Council. Believers expressed a collective hope that we could minister in new ways together.
The Church is trying to reclaim that energy through its new emphasis on style and collegiality. Once again, the Church is trying to open the windows a little bit more so fresh ideas and enthusiasm can be collectively enhanced. A new method of dialogue is being introduced so that church regions can discuss how to best serve one’s distinct needs. On June 7th, the Church will publish a document on how parishes and communities can implement the guidelines on the formation of churches with regards to collegiality and in learning how to listen and to discern communally. A three-year implementation plan will be rolled out so that the faithful can own and participate in this communal process. Many dioceses across the world have begun implementation and have reported encouraging results. The early results show the same sort of enthusiasm of the disciples of Jesus who returned from mission with amazing stories.
This process is one in which the church once again will learn to walk two-by-two in ministry. Just as Jesus sent out the seventy-two, the church is sending out the baptized with similar instructions. We are to do this together because we are part of a community of believers. When we begin to understand the process and see the potential of this effort, our eyes will be opened, and we will want more. We will be like the seventy-two who return from our experiences with remarkable stories, and we will return rejoicing. A church that rejoices, a church that plays, a church that tells stories is attractive. May the Spirit continue to open the windows a bit more so that we can open our eyes more widely and see the marvels God has in store for us.
Scripture for Daily Mass
Monday: (Genesis 28) Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran.
When he came upon a certain shrine, as the sun had already set, he stopped there for the night. Taking one of the stones at the shrine, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep at that spot. Then he had a dream.
Tuesday: (Genesis 32) In the course of the night, Jacob arose, took his two wives, with the two maidservants and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had taken them across the stream and had brought over all his possessions, Jacob was left there alone.
Wednesday: (Genesis 41) When hunger came to be felt throughout the land of Egypt and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph and do whatever he told them. When the famine had spread throughout the land, Joseph opened all the cities that had grain and rationed it to the Egyptians
Thursday: (Genesis 44) Judah approached Joseph and said: "I beg you, my lord, let your servant speak earnestly to my lord, and do not become angry with your servant, for you are the equal of Pharaoh. My lord asked your servants, 'Have you a father, or another brother?'
Friday (Genesis 46) Israel set out with all that was his. When he arrived at Beer-sheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. There God, speaking to Israel in a vision by night, called, "Jacob! Jacob!" He answered, "Here I am."
Saturday (Genesis 49) Jacob gave his sons this charge: “Since I am about to be taken to my people, bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan,
the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground.
Gospel:
Monday: (Matthew 9) While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, ""My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live."" Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
Tuesday: (Matthew 9) A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
Wednesday (Matthew 10) Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.
Thursday (Matthew 10) Jesus said to his Apostles: "As you go, make this proclamation:
'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Friday (Matthew 10) "Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.
Saturday (Matthew 10) No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master.
Saints of the Week
July 6: Maria Goretti, martyr (1890-1902) was a poor farm worker who was threatened by Alessandro, a 20-year old neighbor. When she rebuffed his further advances, he killed her, but on her deathbed, she forgave him. He later testified on her behalf during her beatification process, which occurred in 1950.
July 9: Augustine Zhao Rong, priest and companions, Chinese martyrs (1648-1930) were 120 Chinese martyrs that included priests, children, parents, catechists and common laborers. Christians were persecuted throughout Chinese history. Augustine Zhao Rong was a diocesan priest who was brought to the faith after the example of the French missionary bishop Dufresse. Zhao Rong was arrested in 1815 and died in prison.
July 9: Leo Mangan, S.J., martyr of the Boxer rebellion in China.
July 11: Benedict, Abbot (480-547), was educated in Rome, but left after a few years to take on a life of solitude. He became a monk at Subiaco and lived alone, but his lifestyle developed followers so he built 12 monasteries for them. He left to found a monastery at Monte Cassino where he wrote his Rule that became a standard for Western monasticism. He adopted the practices of the austere Desert Fathers for community life and emphasized moderation, humility, obedience, prayer, and manual labor.
This Week in Jesuit History
- July 6, 1758. The election to the papacy of Clement XIII who would defend the Society against the Jansenists and the Bourbon Courts of Europe.
- July 7, 1867. The beatification of the 205 Japanese Martyrs, 33 of them members of the Society of Jesus.
- July 8, 1767. D'Aubeterre wrote to De Choiseul: "It is impossible to obtain the Suppression from the Pope [Clement XIII]; it must be wrested from him by occupying papal territory."
- July 9, 1763. The Society is expelled from New Orleans and Louisiana at the bidding of the French government.
- July 10, 1881. Fr. Frederick Garesche' wrote from Sequin, Texas, to his Superior: "The cowboys who had not deigned at first to lift their hat to the priest or missionary; who had come to the mission as to a camp meeting, for the fun of the thing, gave in, and their smiles and awkward salutes showed that they had hearts under their rude exterior."
- July 11, 1809. After Pius VII had been dragged into exile by General Radet, Fr. Alphonsus Muzzarrelli SJ, his confessor, was arrested in Rome and imprisoned at Civita Vecchia.
- July 12, 1594. In the French Parliament Antoine Arnauld, the Jansenist, made a violent attack on the Society, charging it with rebellious feelings toward King Henry IV and with advocating the doctrine of regicide.
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