Second Sunday after Trinity
“proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near”
Overview
We are now in what the church calls, Ordinary Time. We have celebrated the life and ministry, the death and resurrection of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit. In the weeks to come we explore why we are given the Spirit and how we continue the work of Christ in the world.
Both of readings describe being chosen: In Exodus 19:2-8a God tells his people: “you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples… a priestly kingdom and a holy nation." In Matthew 9:35-10:8 Jesus picked out just 12 of his followers and “gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.”
The problem with being chosen is that it can lead to a feeling of exclusivity, of superiority. The chosen can assume that they are different from and therefore better than those who are not chosen.
Yet time and time again scripture reminds us that no one is chosen because they have any special merit (indeed, Jesus chooses Judas, who will betray him). They are as much in need of grace as anyone. They are blessed and given the power of the Spirit solely so that they might bring blessing, healing, and liberation to others.
Any grace that God gives can only truly be received when it is given away. It is in freeing others that we ourselves are set free; in healing others that we are made whole; in being a blessing that we ourselves are blessed.
FIRST READING
Exodus 19:2-8
They journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the Israelites: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”
So Moses went, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one, “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.
GOSPEL
Matthew 9:35-10:8
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
