Call to worship
14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Jesus sends out the 72 disciples out into the world, warning them about rejection and promising them that their names are written in heaven.
- To the point: Jesus sends the disciples out to plant the seed of the Good News and harvest its fruit of peace and the in-breaking of the kingdom of God. The “kingdom of God is at hand” because wherever disciples are present and received, God is present and received. Despite the disciples facing “wolves” and sometimes being rejected, their labor will bear fruit for it is God’s power that works through them. For this divine power and presence the disciples — and we — rejoice.
- Connecting the Gospel (Luke 10: 1-12) to the first reading: Isaiah’s vision uses different images to describe the same reality presented in the Gospel. The fruit of the disciples’ labors (peace, healing, and God’s kingdom at hand) are described in Isaiah as comfort, abundance, and prosperity. Both readings envision God’s power and presence now and a future when our “heart(s) shall rejoice.”
- Connecting the Gospel to experience: Many people live in fear of a future marked by destruction and chaos; they have abandoned hope. These readings invite us to hope in the future God has in store for us-one of blessing and joy. At the same time, because God’s kingdom is already at hand, we live in this blessing and joy now. God has richly blessed our nation. Isaiah and Jesus remind u that God’s kingdom does not measure abundance by possessions or resources- but by the quality of our relationships. We pray for healing of the divisions within our nation.
Centering prayers
The Gospel
(Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20)
Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
As a mother will bear her babe in arms,
so you cradle us in your endless love.
Please, now, send us out with
no sack, no sandals, no moneybags,
yet with wealth beyond all telling:
your grace and your love for your poor.
The First Reading
(Isaiah 66: 10-14c)
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.
Father in heaven, was there ever a time
when you held back your love,
the treasure we cannot ask for or imagine?
You sent your only son.
We can see you, and feel you
within our hearts.
We thank you.We rejoice.
The Second Reading
(Galatians 6: 14-18)
For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision.
Holy Spirit of God, show us the world
as Christ saw it from the cross.
Be at our side as we see, like Paul,
what is needed in our time.
Give us the courage to change
what needs to be changed.
Immigration, incarceration, gun laws.
Hungry children needing
food and creation needing care.
Let us hold on to what is holy
and let go of all that is not.
Copyright © 2022, Anne M. Osdieck
Music for reflection