Matthew 9:36-10:8

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you. I believe that you love me, that you are close by my side and that you will be walking with me throughout this day. I trust in you, Lord. I trust you more than I trust myself, because you are infinitely good and all-powerful. I love you, Jesus. I love you because you died on the cross for me, to save me.

Petition: Lord, help me to maximize the use of the talents you have given me.

1. “Sheep Without a Shepherd”: Many people suffer because no one is there to assist them. They are abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Many times, perhaps, Jesus’ words are forgotten: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Our own lethargy or omission can become the cause of the suffering of others. It is easy to think that it is up to priests and consecrated persons to provide for the spiritual and material needs of everyone. However, our neighbor is not just the responsibility of an ecclesial institution; he is also our responsibility. If we truly want to be who we say we are—Catholics—then we have to practice charity. “Charity is the greatest social commandment. It respects others and their rights. It requires the practice of justice, and it alone makes us capable of it. Charity inspires a life of self-giving” (CCC 1889).

2. “The Kingdom of Heaven Is at Hand”: It is easy to get caught up in our daily activities and lose sight of what matters in life. It is easy for us to think that the kingdom of heaven will come at a later time, like the end of the world. However, the kingdom of heaven has arrived with Christ’s arrival, and it is now. Christ came to proclaim that his Kingdom is already among us. As Christians, we are the presence of the Kingdom in this world, the leaven that has to transform it. Not only do we have to help ourselves get into the Kingdom, but we have a duty to remind our brother of it as well, and help him get there.
3. “Without Cost You Have Received; Without Cost You Are to Give”: God has given each of us talents to be used not just for ourselves, but for others. When we finish our life on earth, he will ask us, “What did you do with the talents I gave you? Your faith, your baptism, the sacraments, your family, your intelligence, your talents, your time….?” We are merely stewards of God’s gifts; but it is up to us to make the most of them during the limited time we have on this earth—for our own good and the good of others.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I want to use the talents you have given me as you want and for as long as you want. I know that they are not mine to use as I please. I know my time to use them is short, so help me to use them well.

Resolution: I will take action, in some specific way, to use my time and talents better, especially in order to help someone in need.At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you. I believe that you love me, that you are close by my side and that you will be walking with me throughout this day. I trust in you, Lord. I trust you more than I trust myself, because you are infinitely good and all-powerful. I love you, Jesus. I love you because you died on the cross for me, to save me.

Petition: Lord, help me to maximize the use of the talents you have given me.

1. “Sheep Without a Shepherd”: Many people suffer because no one is there to assist them. They are abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Many times, perhaps, Jesus’ words are forgotten: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Our own lethargy or omission can become the cause of the suffering of others. It is easy to think that it is up to priests and consecrated persons to provide for the spiritual and material needs of everyone. However, our neighbor is not just the responsibility of an ecclesial institution; he is also our responsibility. If we truly want to be who we say we are—Catholics—then we have to practice charity. “Charity is the greatest social commandment. It respects others and their rights. It requires the practice of justice, and it alone makes us capable of it. Charity inspires a life of self-giving” (CCC 1889).

2. “The Kingdom of Heaven Is at Hand”: It is easy to get caught up in our daily activities and lose sight of what matters in life. It is easy for us to think that the kingdom of heaven will come at a later time, like the end of the world. However, the kingdom of heaven has arrived with Christ’s arrival, and it is now. Christ came to proclaim that his Kingdom is already among us. As Christians, we are the presence of the Kingdom in this world, the leaven that has to transform it. Not only do we have to help ourselves get into the Kingdom, but we have a duty to remind our brother of it as well, and help him get there.
3. “Without Cost You Have Received; Without Cost You Are to Give”: God has given each of us talents to be used not just for ourselves, but for others. When we finish our life on earth, he will ask us, “What did you do with the talents I gave you? Your faith, your baptism, the sacraments, your family, your intelligence, your talents, your time….?” We are merely stewards of God’s gifts; but it is up to us to make the most of them during the limited time we have on this earth—for our own good and the good of others.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I want to use the talents you have given me as you want and for as long as you want. I know that they are not mine to use as I please. I know my time to use them is short, so help me to use them well.

Resolution: I will take action, in some specific way, to use my time and talents better, especially in order to help someone in need.