Fifteenth Sunday on Ordinary Time -

 a reflection by Fr. Leo

“In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will.” (II Cor)

Paul makes it clear that we are called to continue the work of the Gospel.  Where Jesus left off, the church continues and the church is you and me. What is also clear in today’s scriptures is that this “work” of the Gospel is the work of the Holy Spirit.  The disciples in the gospel are instructed to go out in two’s to proclaim the gospel, doing many of the same things Jesus did.  However, they are not to take a second tunic and are to depend on the hospitality of those who will take them in.  This vulnerability requires that they be totally dependent on God in their mission. 

Each of us have different gifts and therefore different ways of living out our Christian vocation. The gospel is proclaimed when we live in justice and seek to bring the good news to those we meet.  Here it is not what we do, but how we do it, that matters.  For example, if I am a lawyer I can set my fee schedule and charge accordingly.  However, a conscientious lawyer may review the charges to see if the monies charged are in line with the service provided.  Could something that took three hours to accomplish have been done in two, etc.? Also, there is the pro-bono work that can be done to a certain extent which might also be a way of  living out the gospel.

In the end it is our love and care for all humanity that makes us Christian,  which is achieved by a way of life that, like the disciples, puts the Gospel first. This week let us ask ourselves and reflect on how we make our vocation(s) in life a ministry of the Gospel.