14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Deacon Juan Carlos  |  07/06/2025  |  From the Clergy

(Luke 10:1-12, 17-20) The Gospel we hear this Sunday, which presents the Liturgy of the Word, shows Jesus sending his disciples on missionary work, giving them instructions, including bringing the greeting of Peace: "...Let peace reign in this house..."

The disciples also bring a wonderful and life-changing message to the places where Jesus planned to go: "The Kingdom of God is at hand."

"Proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom of God" is the important message Jesus wants to convey, and one that we must understand. Upon returning from the mission, the disciples seem to miss the essence of Jesus' message. They arrive joyful and content because they say to Jesus, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name," but Jesus tells them, "Rejoice rather that your names are written in the Kingdom of Heaven."

The Kingdom of God begins with the coming of Jesus Christ into our lives. This is the important message that Jesus wants to convey to us, and one that we must understand. Jesus wants us not to lose sight of the essence of the proclamation that the Kingdom of God is already among us, since Jesus Christ himself is the presence of the Kingdom of God and, at the same time, the message he comes to make known to us.

Finding the Kingdom of God is finding Jesus. Finding Jesus is a profound, transforming, healing, and liberating experience, which changes our lives, our way of thinking, and the way we behave. This change in life should lead us to be guided and make decisions using evangelical criteria in our daily lives. Also, like the first disciples, we must be bearers of the message of peace, bringing Jesus' peace to the people and places where we spend our lives.

“The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” CCC #2819

- Deacon Juan Carlos