Readings: Exodus 19:2-6; Psalm 99; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36-10:8
Grace and peace to you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today is the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A. The readings of today invite us to reflect on two important themes: God’s love for us and God’s call to mission.
In the First Reading, God reminds the people of Israel of all He had done for them: “I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (Exodus 19:4).
Before speaking about commandments, obligations, or responsibilities, God first reminds them of His love and care. He wanted them to never forget what He had done for them.
The same reminder is important for us today. Sometimes we become so preoccupied with our present struggles that we forget how far God has brought us. We forget the battles He fought for us, the dangers He saved us from, the sicknesses He healed us from, the doors He opened, the prayers He answered, and the countless times He protected us when we did not even realise it.
Many of us are alive today by the grace of God alone. Our survival is a miracle. The fact that we are here today is a testimony to God’s mercy and faithfulness. There were moments when we thought we would not make it, but God carried us on eagles’ wings.
He brought many of us to places we never imagined we would be. He has blessed us beyond what we deserved. He has done all this not because of our merits but because of His love, mercy, and His purpose for our lives.
Today as we reflect on how God has come through for us, we are reminded of two things- trust and mission.
Trust: We can trust Him in our present struggles.
Mission: God never blesses us without a reason. His blessings are not merely for our comfort but also for mission. He keeps us alive and blessed for His purpose.
This brings us to the Gospel.
The Gospel can be summarised this way:
- Jesus saw the crowd and was moved with compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He saw their confusion, ignorance, suffering, and spiritual hunger.
- He chose twelve disciples, He commissioned them to continue His mission, He equipped them and gave them authority for the task.
When we look at the list of the Apostles, it is not a list of extraordinary people. They were ordinary men with weaknesses, limitations, flaws, and different personalities. Yet Jesus called them.
This reminds us that God does not necessarily call the most qualified; rather, He qualifies those He calls. Those whom He calls, He empowers.
Notice also that Jesus gave them a clear focus, priority, and structure. He told them where to begin: “Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
There was a plan, focus, direction, and purpose.
Sometimes we want to do everything at once, but Jesus teaches us that mission requires focus, plan, patience, and wisdom. Great works are accomplished one step at a time.
Dear friends, the reality of the Gospel remains unchanged today.
People are still sick, people are still tormented, people are still confused, people are still ignorant of God, people are still searching for meaning and hope.
The harvest is still plentiful and God is still calling labourers into His vineyard.
Perhaps God is calling someone here to the priesthood, the diaconate, religious life, or the consecrated life. If that is you, do not be afraid to respond. The One who calls will provide the grace you need.
But God’s call is not limited to priests and religious. Every Christian is called to mission. Let’s look at two important things God is calling us to, at this time.
- God is calling all of us to know Him more deeply, to open our hearts to receive His love (Second Reading), and to help others encounter Him.
He is calling us to understand the Gospel more, teach it with clarity, defend it with charity, promote it humbly, and live the truth of the Gospel with authenticity (loving, showing mercy, forgiving, being just, treating people as the Gospel invites us).
As we continue this Eucharist today, let us thank God for carrying us on eagles’ wings throughout our lives. Let us ask Him for the grace never to forget His goodness. And let us pray for the courage to respond generously to whatever mission He is entrusting to us.
May the Lord bless His words in our hearts through Christ our Lord.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on June 14, 2026