Sunday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time – Year A
Today we hear Jesus summoning His twelve disciples and sending them out on their first mission. He gives them authority over unclean spirits and the power to cure sickness and disease. He tells them to go first to the lost sheep of the House of Israel and to proclaim the Good News: “that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.
At the heart of this Gospel is a striking truth, Jesus gives the disciples His own authority. They are not acting on their own strength, but in His name and with His power. Through this, they witness the presence of God at work within them: demons flee, the sick are healed, and lives are transformed. All of this points clearly to who Jesus is, the Son of God, with divine authority and power.
For the disciples, this was essential. Their faith needed to grow and deepen, because a time would come when Jesus would no longer be physically present with them. They would then have to rely on that faith to carry on His mission.
However, this mission is rooted in prayer. Jesus does not send them out carelessly or unprepared. Instead, He calls them to pray to the Lord of the harvest. Prayer grounds their mission. It reminds them that they are not alone, that they are chosen, and that it is God who works through them. As we know, prayer remains central in our lives too. It opens our hearts to God’s grace and strengthens us to live out our calling as His children.
Jesus also desires that His disciples become shepherds, caring for people who were lost, weary, and searching. In time, these apostles became the first bishops of the Church, with St Peter as the first Pope.
Through the laying on of hands, this apostolic ministry has continued. Bishops, priests, and deacons have been ordained throughout the life of the Church to carry on Christ’s saving work, teaching the faith, guiding the faithful, and celebrating the sacraments.
Today, the need for prayer is just as urgent as it was 2,000 years ago. We are all aware that vocations to the priesthood and religious life are declining. We must pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send good and holy labourers into His vineyard.
Our young people are the future of the Church, the next generation of witnesses, teachers, and ministers. We need to encourage them, listen to them, and support them as they begin to discern their path in life. When the time comes, we must help them to recognise and respond to God’s call.
For some, like myself, that call unfolds slowly, over many years, often with obstacles along the way. But it is always worth it. There is a deep joy in knowing that you have responded to the Lord as best you can. And that joy grows when you see lives changed, when people find hope, direction, and peace in Christ where once there was confusion or despair.
Last Sunday, the Cathedral celebrated their First Holy Communion, (and here at St Bernadette’s we look forward to ours in a few weeks’ time.) These children have dedicated themselves to their preparation, learning about the Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the Eucharist.
Let us pray for them, that they will continue to come to Mass, to grow in faith, and to remain close to the Lord. With the support of their families and our parish community, may they discover the joy, love, and peace that brings Christ together.
May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen them, helping them to grow and mature throughout their lives in the grace and love of the Sacraments.
Rev. Fr Philip Wrigley's Blog 