HOMILY 14TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
SENT OUT ON A CHALLENGING MISSION, WITH A JOYFUL RETURN
Lk 10.1-12,17-20 Is 66.10-14 Gal 6.14-18
For the pessimistic outlook or orientation, here we are in a world arguably no better than in the time of Jesus, except that there are bigger and bigger weapons of destruction, and we’ve gone along way further towards upsetting the ecological balance of the world’s environment through human activity. Peace appears elusive, and respect for human life and its preciousness is often absent, when we look around at the state of the world and its peoples today. There is an endemic lack of trust in human nature, when the news highlights the things that go wrong, and the dark side coming out in abusive behaviour of all types, such that we can all be tainted with suspicion.
On the other hand, from the perspective of the optimist, where can we find improvement and hope for the future? This is challenging, but I see an inherent goodness in human nature, where most people are doing their best to live good lives, and make the most of the opportunities they are given. Isn’t that why you and I are here at this present moment, acknowledging the call to faith and prayer, and the need to apply the Gospel message to our own lives?
In the present age, we are much more aware of human rights, even if not applied too well in some societies. We know that we must protect and preserve our environment. We know that peace is a value that we all seek and hope for, that compromise and reconciliation are the best ways of accepting diversity and plurality.
Many advances in science and technology have provided a means of making our world a better place, if applied for the right purposes, and that we have the means of all people having a fair go at living in peace, security, with adequate provision for food, health care and education. And don’t we know, there’s a hell of a long way to go yet!
Then, of course, there is the other side, where there are those who bring out the worst, revealing the dark side of human nature, focussing on differences, division and hostility towards others outside their in-group. Inherent selfishness is there as a reality, sometimes overcoming the natural instinct for respect and care for others and value diversity.
You and I can’t solve the world’s problems, but we can make a difference by the way we live our own lives, seeking peace and mutual understanding and acceptance, sharing the love, but following the Gospel values Jesus proclaims. And it’s not just about family, which is fundamentally important, but we also must look beyond.
For me, this was emphasized by 2 very large funerals I’ve celebrated in the last few weeks. First there was John Noce, who tragically died in an industrial accident at 53, and who was obviously a well-loved person by so many, with a packed church here of mourners to pay tribute and remember him with gratitude. He loved life, and reflected that in the way he was a family man, who engaged in the broader community with enthusiasm and zest. As his devastated and bereaved wife and partner of 35 years, Kendrea, put it succinctly: “You loved everyone and everyone who met you loved you.” His two adult children, his two sisters, and a close friend reinforced these words, with their own loving memories.
Then this week, there was a farewell here to Vera Olivera, who died suddenly at 72, a few months younger than I am, again with a full church, her obvious positive influence on so many, evident in the numbers present, and in the words said. I quote from one of the prayers of the faithful, composed by her family: “Let us pray for peace in our world, especially during this time of conflict and division. Vera deeply despised was and longed for a world where all people could live in harmony. May her longing inspire us to be peacemakers in our own lives, and may God bring healing and hope to all affected by violence and war.”
Apart from her own love, care and devotion to her own family, her influence in the broader community was very evident. In her own life, she’d faced adversity, with her father dying when she was 15, then supporting her mother and older sister who needed care, and whom she continued to care for 23 years after her mother died, as well as bringing up her 4 now adult children with Mick, her loving and supportive husband of over 50 years. As her daughter Vanessa said: “Mum was the very essence of compassion and selflessness.”
These are simple examples of the good people who surround us, and who we are called to be too, as active disciples of Jesus. We learn much from their love and example. We know who our saints are, and none of them, including the canonised, were perfect. But fallible and flawed, as we are!
Today’s Gospel has the disciples going out, at the command of Jesus, to emulate his groundwork with ordinary people, giving them relief, comfort, hope and healing, rejecting the darkness of sin and evil, and making a difference by their presence and response to the needs of those they encounter. Luke is likely projecting this as happening in the life and activities of the early Church, as he decribes in Acts of the Apostles.
And all of this, of course, is in the context of proclaiming the message of Jesus as one of hope and joy and peace, in an imperfect and sometimes dark, but wonderful world. It’s not always going to be easy, but perseverance is the key, and faith in ourselves, knowing we are on the right track, the path of faithful discipleship, as followers of Jesus. But it’s not going to be always easy, as ‘lambs among wolves’ reminds us!
So let us make the most of the opportunities we are given, to make a difference as people of the Gospel of love, peace, hope and joy, despite the difficulties we all face at times in our own lives. After all, this year of 2025 is the Jubilee Year of Hope, announced by Pope Francis before he left us!
And, as my friend Claude Mostwik MSC reminds us: “So let us by our presence promote ‘peace be upon this house’ – this place, this venue, this workplace, this school, this church, this world. As we commemorate Aboriginal and Islander Sunday, we might begin by seeking to learn about First Nations’ culture, the care for creation, and deepen our awareness of the interrelatedness of all beings. These are the loci (places) of God’s reign. All reflect the heart of God.”
And since it’s ATSIC week, here’s a little indigenous tale or parable, titled ‘The Magic Colours’ (by Cecilia Egan and Elizabeth Alger) , somewhat akin to ‘The Good Samaritan’, about why and how our native birds became so colourful!
john hannon 6th July 2025