Reflection for the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C 2022

Many preachers have learned from Jesus how to preach. Jesus intended to minister to many villages and towns, however, prior to his arrival, he sent his disciples out in pairs. They were to find a home, if possible, in which to stay. They were to rely upon the generosity of their hosts. Today, some might see this as taking advantage of people, but Jesus knew exactly what he was doing. When one finds a family who will open their doors and their cupboards to a stranger, one also finds people who will open their hearts to God’s Good News. Such individuals and family will make the stranger, and in this case, the disciples, feel welcome.
Such people want to hear Jesus’ message. They, in turn, will invite their friends to come and listen , to come and see. The invitation to prepare one’s life for the arrival of Jesus is more easily responded to when it comes from someone who is trusted, perhaps even loved. So, by working with a particular family, the disciples have established their hosts as trusted missionaries in the village. When Jesus came to be among them he would not then be met with skepticism, scorn or intolerance. His success depended on open doors , open hearts, open ears, and open lives.
This is no less true some two thousand years later. Priests, religious, and lay ministers can certainly teach about Jesus, but the greatest success in bringing people to Jesus is in the invitation by a trusted member of a family or a friend. Each one of us is called to be a disciple, a missionary on behalf of Jesus. We need to invite, and when the true encounter with Jesus comes, those we have invited will recognize him and follow him into the kingdom.
The world is full of people who are searching, but less filled with those who are inviting. The harvest is rich, but the laborers are few. Will you work for the Lord? Will you invite someone to come and see.
God bless you all
Fr. Dominic
Your brother in Christ