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Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Gospel Reading 

Matthew 9:36--10:8

Jesus sends the twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of heaven.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In today's Gospel, Jesus shares his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his disciples. The signs of the kingdom's presence consist of the work that Jesus  has already been doing: the sick are cured, lepers are cleansed, demons are driven out, and the dead are raised to life. The disciples are sent to continue doing the    work that Jesus has begun. This is a moment of transition in Matthew's Gospel. 

The focus has shifted from the ministry of Jesus to the work of the community      that he has inaugurated. More than any other Gospel, Matthew's Gospel elaborates on the work of the Church, which is to continue after Jesus' death and resurrection.

The Gospel reports that Jesus commissions twelve disciples. Many scholars    believe that the twelve disciples symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. It designates, therefore, continuity between Israel and the Church.

Matthew lists the names of the twelve disciples, as do Mark and Luke. Matthew    also uses the word apostle when referring to the Twelve. The word apostle means “one who is sent.” In this context, Matthew is calling attention to the mission that    the twelve disciples are being given. They are sent by Jesus to proclaim the    kingdom of heaven in word and deed.

As Jesus sent his disciples to continue his work and mission, so too the Church is sent by Jesus. The Church is his continuing presence on earth. Every member of the Church is sent by Jesus to contribute to this mission.

Family Connection

Every person in the Church is sent by Christ to do the work that he did. This task can seem daunting. Yet when we have learned to work together with others to achieve a common goal, we have learned something of what it means to do the work of Christ. The family is one such place in which we work with others, sharing a common task and a common goal.

As family members gather, invite each person to reflect upon their contributions to family life. Invite each one to share one or two things that they do to help keep your family life flowing smoothly. Take time to thank one another for the contributions each person makes to your family life.

Invite a family member to read aloud today's Gospel, Matthew 9:36-10:8. In this Gospel, Jesus sends the disciples to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. Point out    that the disciples are called to work together just as family members must work together. Pray together that your family will always work together as a family to      help one another. Pray that your family can be a model for other families. Pray together the Lord's Prayer.