God has #called us and #Consecrated US: #Homily of the 11th #Sunday in Year A

God has #called us and #Consecrated US: #Homily of the 11th #Sunday in Year A Sunday, June 18, 2023, Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Theme: God has called us and Consecrated US Throughout the sacred scriptures, there are episodes of God calling a whole nation and individuals for God's service. One does not choose oneself to be at God's service, even though one has to respond personally out of his/her free will. It is God who chooses and calls. He does it with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Virgin Mary, the apostles, and the Saints. God is calling you and I. The readings for Year A's #Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us to search for signs of God's call in our lives. And to respond appropriately to his call. In our First reading, God expressly tells the Sons of Israel how he has called them, and he expects them to respond positively to His call by obeying his commandments. The Israelites are reminded that God led them out of Egypt. God desires a kingdom, not simply a few priests. God demands an entire holy country, not merely a select group of pious individuals paying sacrifices on behalf of others. God has called all of us, and he wants to consecrate us for his service. Like the Psalmist, we are proud to proclaim that "we are his people, the sheep of his flock". According to the psalm, God is concerned about us. To prove that God loves us, Paul proclaims in the second reading that Christ died for us. We now have access to this grace because of Jesus Christ, and we can take pride in the expectation of one day participating in God's holiness. The good news is that God has demonstrated his love for us since Christ died for us while we were still sinners. The #gospel informs us that Jesus cared for the people and gave his followers the responsibility of carrying on that caring. Along with his disciples, Jesus reveals his purpose: to announce the kingdom of heaven. Jesus' work—including the healing of the sick, the purification of lepers, casting out demons, and raising the dead—comprises the indicators of the kingdom's existence. The disciples' mission is to carry on Jesus's work. In Matthew's Gospel, a turning point occurs at this point. The work of the community that Jesus has established is now in the spotlight rather than his ministry. Jesus gives an order to twelve disciples. According to many scholars, the #twelve #disciples represent the twelve tribes of Israel. It specifies, therefore, continuity between Israel and the Church. As #Jesus sent his disciples to continue his work and mission, the Church is also sent by Jesus. The #Church is his continuing presence on earth. Jesus sends every member of the Church to contribute to this mission. Let us join the moving train to continue the work of Jesus on earth.