Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, July 9, 2025

Gospel

Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus 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 the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot

who betrayed Jesus.

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.'"

Reflection

“The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 

Wow. There’s so much power in these words spoken by Jesus. How encouraging and reassuring it is to know that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. How incredible to think that Jesus would trust the twelve with spreading this message of good news and healing others.  As I reflect on today’s gospel, I also reflect on what I am proclaiming to others. 

Jesus is telling the disciples to proclaim truth. He isn’t telling them to go into towns and judge others or telling them to change in order to save souls. He doesn’t tell them to go and lie about what is to come, to water it down or sugar coat it. He gives them truth to proclaim, just as he gives us. 

Jesus tells his disciples to proclaim this powerful truth knowing full well that they are far from perfect. He knows they will make mistakes.  He knows they will have their doubts. He knows this and still entrusts them with the power of spreading the truth and healing others, even Judas. He gave them all the tools to succeed just as he gives us. Even in our own imperfections and insecurities, Jesus calls us to proclaim the truth.

What I take away after reflecting on this gospel is that I need to remember this gospel in the way I encounter others. Often times I will let my emotions guide my actions or get caught up in work place gossip which clouds my judgement.  I need to show others the love of Christ by proclaiming truth because, indeed, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.