July 3rd - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Is 66:10-14c; Gal 6:14-18; Lk 10:1-12, 17-20)

Jesus sends out his disciples two by two with instructions on spreading the news about the kingdom of God. When they return, they are rejoicing in their success. They remark on how they even had power over demons. But rather than pat them on the back for their great work, Jesus chastises them for rejoicing over the wrong thing. He says they should not rejoice over having power over demons, but they should only rejoice that their names are written in heaven. Their new-found powers may have gone to their heads and given them an inflated sense of self-importance. It is a natural human reaction to power. Rankings based on power are human constructs. In the kingdom of God, all are equal. This is one of several instances in which Jesus admonishes his disciples for trying to elevate themselves above others. For example, there is the time James and John asked to sit at the right hand and the left hand of Jesus. And when Jesus describes John the Baptist, he says that as great as he is, he is no greater than the least in the kingdom of God. It seems that being in the kingdom of God is the only thing that matters. Ranking within that group is insignificant by comparison.

• How do we avoid making unnecessary and potentially unjust distinctions among the people of God?
• When we catch ourselves trying to control people and events outside of our control, how do we react?
• How can we turn our focus from our powers to the power of God?
• Today's readings describe occasions for rejoicing. What can we do to fully enter into the joy described by Isaiah in the first reading, despite anything else that may be going on in our lives?
• In the second reading Paul talks about “boasting in the cross of Jesus”. What does boasting in the cross of Jesus means for us in 2022?