Gospel for June 14 2026 – Matthew 9:36–10:8
Gospel Reflections for June 14 2026
A heart moved with compassion…
This is how this Gospel starts, and it is compassion that always moves God to act in your life.
Every time God acts in history or in the life of a person it is always in response to someone crying out in need.
God sees the suffering of the Israelites who are slaves in Egypt and tells Moses that he will liberate them …with God’s help. Jesus sees a hungry crowd of five thousand people and tells them they will be fed …and they are!
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls twelve disciples to follow Him, especially as healers to alleviate suffering. He teaches them to notice what is going on around them, and especially those who are suffering or in need. He gives them power to call on God’s help to change that suffering into healing, strength, and happiness.
You might ask for this same healing power at times in your life. However, sometimes God’s answer to your heartfelt prayer is not what you might expect. God always has a bigger goal in mind, and yet it is always for your lasting happiness.
God certainly saw the suffering of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane too. Our Lord faces excruciating torture, scourging, and eventually a horrible crucifixion. Jesus prays for relief in Matthew 26: 39-44 where He prays three times to be saved from this pain.
God answers Jesus in this way. I can certainly save you now …and you will have a good day, or you can face your crucifixion on the cross …and the whole world can be saved!
This is what God wants …your salvation, and the salvation of everyone everywhere. God responds to the most important human need of all.
If relief from your suffering will help your salvation, then a cure will come, as the disciples saw often in their ministry. If facing your suffering helps you grow in courage, patience, hope, and wisdom, then your salvation will arise from facing it directly, as Jesus did on the cross. Either way, your salvation and reward in heaven is always the goal.
Jesus does not call for more laborers in the vineyard who understand what God wants. He asks that the laborers that are there …get to work! I hope you will be one of those who responds in compassion to those in need in just the same way as Our Lord.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
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