11TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Exodus 19:2-6

Psalm 100

Romans 5: 6-11

Matthew 9:36 – 10:8

CHOSEN TO BE SENT

Today’s readings may be summed up under the theme: chosen to be sent. In effect, the passage from Exodus is a kind of preamble to the great covenant-making event on Mount Sinai. It highlights two things. First, it reminds the Israelites of their experience of God’s closeness to them. God had liberated them from Egyptian slavery and led them to Sinai, bearing them up “on eagle wings”. As such, the people would hearken to God’s voice and keep his covenant on account of their experience of the solicitude of God who freed them and invited them to trust in him. Indeed, one cannot enter into a covenant without freedom and trust.

Second, through the covenant, Israel would become God’s chosen people: “Now therefore, if you listen to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people…You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation”. Henceforth, Israel would be God’s personal portion. It is interesting to note that Saint Peter applies this divine election to Christians when he affirms: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the great deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). 

Thus, like the people of Israel, we have been chosen by God to be the people of the new covenant, a covenant sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ who died for us even when we were still sinners, as Saint Paul reminds us in the second reading. Like them, we need to keep the covenant and always remain faithful to God.

Moreover, we are to always remember that this divine election has a responsibility, that of making known to other people God’s goodness and compassion. Like the twelve disciples in the Gospel, we too have been summoned, chosen and sent out. Our mission is to proclaim the reign of God, to announce to the peoples that God has set us free in Jesus Christ. Thus, there is an urgent need to share with others what we have received without cost from God. By so doing, they may have a share in the love of our covenant-keeping God.

May God bless and keep all of us. Amen.