MEDITATION/ SERMON/HOMILY FOR THE 14TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C 2ND JULY 2022

BEHAVE AS SHEEP, WE ARE VICTORIOUS 

BECOME LIKE WOLVES, WE ARE CONQUERED

Lk 10:1-12, 17-20

Good morning dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, we thank God for the gift of life and the graciousness to listen to his word this day. May his words continue to be a lamp for our steps both now and forever more. Amen

“So long, as we continue to behave like sheep, we are victorious. Even if ten thousand wolves surround us, we conquer and are victorious. But the moment we become wolves, we are conquered, for we lose the help of the shepherd”. These are strong and beautiful words of St. John Chrysostom, an Early Church Father who served as an archbishop of Constantinople. Known for his preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders. 

Dearest friends in Christ, these delightful words of St. John Chrysostom find their place even in our liturgy of the word today. Before us is the Gospel of Luke 10:1-12, 17-20, here we are told the narrative of the sending out of the seventy (70) in pairs by our Lord Jesus, to locations where he intended to go'. In doing so, Jesus said to them: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Lk 10:2). Sequel to human philosophy, one would say, if the harvest is plentiful, why the waste of time? What's the need for prayer if God is aware? why don't the Lord God quickly send labourers into the field to reap the harvest? The harvest in this context is 'the plentiful souls out there to be won over to God'. We can now begin to see the value of prayer. The fact that evangelization cannot be disassociated from prayer, conversion of the heart and soul cannot be disconnected from prayer, and the fruitfulness of the mission cannot be divorced from prayer. The essentially of prayer cannot be undermined in the salvation of souls. It is not an easy journey or mission. 

Progressively, Jesus gives them the cautionary mandate of the mission: “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves”. This is an image and expression that might create worry in the hearts of many. Why lambs among wolves? Why not like wolves among lambs? Friends in Christ, the truth is that Jesus is the Chief Shepherd of lambs and not of wolves.

The moment we become wolves, we lose his shepherding. It is more or less like declaring our independence and self-sufficiency, that we don't need his grace and power anymore, for our immediate strength suffices. This is tantamount to revolution. However, when we behave like lambs, we declare our submission to his sovereignty, our dependence on his leadership and grace. Consequently, we become victorious and conquerors in his name. Let's remember his words of assurance to St. Paul: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2Cor 12:9).  In Galatians 2:20, having been crucified with Christ, St. Paul tells us “it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me”. This, we are enveloped in the spirit of God.

Children of God, Jesus stands out as the true model of a lamb. Yes, even John the Baptist acknowledged him as the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world’ (Jn 1:29). In Isaiah 53:7 allusion is made to Jesus in the picture of the suffering servant of Yahweh. “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughterhouse, and as sheep before his shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). I believe we can rightfully say that Jesus was sent by God the Father as a lamb among us e.g defenceless, without resources (poverty: birthed in a manger, nowhere to lay his head) etc. So when Jesus said to the seventy (70),: “carry no purse, no bag, no sandals” (Lk10:4). It wasn't out of malice, lack of care or punishment but to keep awake in them the priority and effectiveness of the Gospel in the mission of harvesting souls for God e.g preaching, attending to the sick and the needy etc Nothing else must take precedence over that. 

He extends his care to them by instructing them on the model of hospitality. Never to move from house to house to avoid the search for comfort but to find rest in the first home that welcomes them; eat and drink whatsoever that is served to them without complaint. Consequently, upon homes, a such shall the peace of God rest.

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, enshrined in the adorable narrative of the sending out of seventy (70) disciples by Jesus are typical characteristics of becoming a lamb: total submission to the leadership of the shepherd, spirit of Poverty, detachment and dependence on God and charity, rejection from those opposed to the word of God, silence and lack of complaints amidst difficulties etc. But it is pertinent to note that notwithstanding being lambs amid wolves, we are told that the disciples returned joyful and glorious. Jesus said to them: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20). Hence, as lambs they were conquerors. 

Friends in Christ, this is the identity and pathway that God has chosen for us as Christians, let us remain committed with faith as lambs before the Chief Shepherd, and our trust in God will never fail us. 

May God bless his words in our hearts, both now and forevermore. Amen

Happy Sunday to you all!

Fr Remi osj