Gospel for June 18 2023 – Matthew 9:36—10:8
Gospel Reflections for June 18 2023
Hearts 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. A perfect message for Father’s Day!
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! Fathers see their family’s needs, and they provide.
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, new 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 sees 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’s answers 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. Either way, your salvation and reward in heaven is always the goal.
Jesus also calls for more laborers in the vineyard who understand what God wants. 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
Becoming a Father is an awesome adventure and one difficult to prepare for. You are gifted with a Child dependent on you and your wife for sustenance and education along with Love Care and Direction. You knew how your Parents filled the role and their example is a guide.
In addition our Catholic Faith gives a great guide to how and what to do.
The words of scripture give us an idea and a path to follow.
Happy. Fathers Day to all you Fathers out there striving to do your best. Especially to you Father Dave a very Happy Fathers Day to You.
I appreciate your good wishes on this Father’s Day!
Love your beautiful commentaries!!!You are a precious gift from our loving God to us!!! Happy, precious Father’s Day to you for you father us in our precious jesus’ Love!!! We loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee precious you!!! Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy you are a precious part of our life and our heart!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!