Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 2023
The purpose of salvation is that we become a royal priesthood or priestly nation leading the world into right worship of God. This is done by sacrificing in union with Christ's death and resurrection. This is done on the pattern of the Twelve, sent before they felt ready, sent first to the "lost sheep" of the Church, sent to heal or expel the disorder in the world by God's means, especially right worship and holy living. We are called to be that holy nation now.
Title
Outline
We often talk about being rescued from, but what about rescued for?
The “Eagles’ Wings” speech in Exodus puts it succinctly:
Romans gives us a model for our transformation
Our Gospel is the sending of the Twelve, the chief priests
[Brothers and] Sisters, we are called to a high calling
Readings
FIRST READING
Exodus 19:2–6a
2 After they made the journey from Rephidim and entered the wilderness of Sinai, they then pitched camp in the wilderness.
While Israel was encamped there in front of the mountain, 3 Moses went up to the mountain of God. Then the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying: This is what you will say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: 4 You have seen how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now, if you obey me completely and keep my covenant, you will be my treasured possession among all peoples, though all the earth is mine. 6 You will be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. That is what you must tell the Israelites.
RESPONSE
Psalm 100:3c
3 Know that the LORD is God,
he made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the flock he shepherds.
PSALM
Psalm 100:1–3, 5
1 A psalm of thanksgiving.
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
2 serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
3 Know that the LORD is God,
he made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the flock he shepherds.
5 good indeed is the LORD,
His mercy endures forever,
his faithfulness lasts through every generation.
SECOND READING
Romans 5:6–11
6 For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. 10 Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Mark 1:15
15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
GOSPEL
Matthew 9:36–10:8
36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
CHAPTER 10
1 Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
5 Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Notes
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023 | ORDINARY TIME
ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
YEAR A | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
First Reading Exodus 19:2–6a
Response Psalm 100:3c
Psalm Psalm 100:1–3, 5
Second Reading Romans 5:6–11
Gospel Acclamation Mark 1:15
Gospel Matthew 9:36–10:8