Homily: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Exodus 19:2-6a; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36–10:8
14 June 2026
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
Some call it aura, some call it charisma but whatever it is, certain people have the power to change the energy of a room just by walking into it. There are occasions when a group of friends, co-workers, or maybe even members of a family are gathered and collectively experiencing exhaustion, tension, or disappointment. Maybe they lost a game, or maybe their project failed, or maybe everything is going wrong with their plans. And yet, the depression lifts when someone walks in with a kind smile and positivity that is absolutely infectious! They may not be the smartest or most talented, but their manner always reminds us that things will get better and that we are not alone.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus looks upon the crowd and sees people who are “troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). But what is remarkable is what happens next. It is true that His heart is “moved with pity” (Matthew 9:36), but He does not simply feel sorry for them. He responds with compassion. He sees not only their struggles but also their potential. He calls His disciples and sends them out to make a difference (Matthew 10:1, 5-8). In other words, Jesus sees a hurting world—and He believes His followers can help bring healing to it.
The Gospel is not only about the needs of the crowd. It is also about the confidence Jesus places in ordinary people. Fishermen, tax collectors, and simple disciples are entrusted with an extraordinary mission: “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons” (Matthew 10:8), and proclaim that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). We often tend to associate skill and aptitude with the jobs we give people, but Jesus picked the unqualified and unlikely to carry out such important tasks.
The same is true for us. Sometimes we underestimate the impact we can have on others. We often think we need to do something extraordinary, so tasks always feel too great to accomplish, and we become aware of our inadequacy to fulfill them. Yet we forget that when it comes to Jesus, He often works through simple acts of kindness, patience, generosity, and presence. A word of encouragement can renew someone’s hope. A listening ear can lighten a burden. A small act of generosity can restore faith in human goodness.
Jesus often saw people as the best that they could be. Our unworthiness was of no consequence to Him. In the Second Reading, St. Paul reminds us that “while we were still weak, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). Indeed, “God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Long before we sought Him, He was already reaching out to us. Even when we were unlovable, Christ loved us first. And the wonder of it is that when we know that we are loved, it becomes easier to love others.
The First Reading expresses this beautifully as well. God tells Israel through Moses: “You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples” (Exodus 19:5). Before God even gives His people a mission, He first reminds them of who they are and of their dignity as His favoured ones. He also tells them, “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). He affirms the distinctiveness of their identity before He gives them a mission. He reassures them that they will always belong to Him before He sets them to task. The same is true for us. We do not serve God in order to earn His love. We serve because we are already convinced that we are loved.
This changes everything. The Christian life is not simply about avoiding sin or fulfilling obligations. It is about becoming people through whom others can experience God’s goodness. Perhaps that is why Jesus says, “The harvest is abundant, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37). Even today, there are countless opportunities to bring hope, kindness, healing, and encouragement to others. The world still needs people whose hearts reflect the compassion of Christ. We should not wait for others to step in and work out something awesome. We can always do our part, make a start, no matter how small.
As we begin a new week, the Lord is asking us to be a source of light for one person; to encourage someone who is struggling; to be present to someone who feels forgotten; to bring hope where there is discouragement. Let us believe that we can accomplish more than we can imagine when we do even the smallest acts with great love. Especially today, when so much in the world seems to be falling apart, let us remember that the Lord continues to look upon the earth with compassion (Matthew 9:36). In His time, God sets right what is wrong with the world through ordinary and flawed disciples like you and me, reminding us that we are seen, loved, and never alone.
Sunday Gospel Reflections 