Collect Series
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The Mass: Collect Series Icon. |
Eleventh Sunday Ordinary Time
The
Collect for the 11th Sunday of Year A reads as follows:
O God, strength
of those who hope in You,
graciously hear
our pleas,
and since without
You, mortal frailty can do nothing,
grant us always
the help of Your Grace,
that in following
Your command we may please You by our resolve and our deeds.
Though Our Lord
Jesus Christ Your Sons,
Who lives and
reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and
ever.
In
making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection
questions emerged:
1. What does the gift of hope in God mean
to me?
2. How has God been my strength in my life?
3. How will God be my strength and hope
this week?
4. How self-aware of my fragilities,
weaknesses, and sinfulness?
5. In what ways will I repent this week and
ask God’s forgiveness?
6. How will I educate myself more in the
commands of God this week?
7. What resolve do I need to make about my
spiritual life? (eg does my morning prayer or night prayer need a renovation, a
makeover or a tweak).
Gospel Reflection
Matthew
9:36–10:8: Theme: “The Harvest Is Plentiful”
Setting
the Scene
As
Jesus travels through towns and villages, teaching, preaching, and healing, He
encounters crowds of people who are searching for hope, guidance, and meaning.
Matthew tells us that Jesus looks upon them with compassion because they are
“troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Moved
by this deep compassion, Jesus turns to His disciples and speaks of a plentiful
harvest but a shortage of labourers. He invites them to pray that God will send
workers into His harvest.
Jesus
then does something remarkable. He does not simply ask the disciples to pray
for labourers; He commissions them to become part of the answer to that prayer.
He gives them authority to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven, heal the sick, and
bring God's mercy to others.
This
Gospel reminds us that discipleship is never passive. Those who encounter Jesus
are invited to participate in His mission.
Gospel
Reflection: Seeing with the Compassion of Christ
At the
heart of this Gospel is the compassion of Jesus. He does not see a crowd; He
sees individuals. He notices their struggles, fears, wounds, and longing for
God. His response is not frustration or judgment, but love.
The
image of sheep without a shepherd would have been familiar to Jesus' listeners.
Shepherds guided, protected, and cared for their flocks. Without a shepherd,
sheep became vulnerable and easily lost. Jesus recognises that many people are
spiritually searching and in need of guidance, hope, and encouragement.
His
words about the harvest reveal God's desire to gather people into His Kingdom.
The harvest is plentiful because God's love reaches every person. Yet Jesus
acknowledges that there is much work to be done. The mission of proclaiming the
Gospel is not reserved for a select few; it belongs to all who follow Him.
The
disciples are sent out to continue the work of Jesus. They are called to bring
healing, hope, mercy, and the Good News of God's Kingdom. Their mission
reflects the heart of Christ Himself.
Today,
the same invitation is extended to us. We may not be called to travel from
village to village, but we are called to witness to Christ in our homes,
workplaces, parishes, and communities. Wherever we are, we can become
instruments of His compassion and love.
Personal
Reflection
Many
people today still feel like sheep without a shepherd. Some struggle with
loneliness, grief, anxiety, uncertainty, or a loss of purpose. Others may
appear strong on the outside while carrying hidden burdens within.
Jesus
continues to look upon His people with compassion. He sees our needs, our
wounds, and our hopes. He also invites us to see others through His eyes.
Sometimes
we may feel inadequate or unqualified to serve God's mission. The disciples
themselves were ordinary people with limitations and weaknesses. Yet Jesus
entrusted them with His work. He does not ask us to be perfect; He simply asks
us to be willing.
This
Gospel invites us to reflect on how God may be calling us to share His love
with others. A kind word, a listening ear, a gesture of encouragement, or a
simple act of service can become a powerful witness to the presence of Christ.
Questions
for Reflection
- What part of this Gospel speaks most
strongly to me today?
- When have I experienced the compassion of
Jesus in my own life?
- Who are the people around me who may be
feeling lost, burdened, or in need of encouragement?
- How is God inviting me to participate in
His harvest?
- What gifts has God given me that I can use
in service of others?
- Do I see people with the compassion of
Christ or through the lens of my own judgments and assumptions?
- What practical step can I take this week
to bring hope, healing, or encouragement to someone else?
Closing
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You looked upon the crowds
with compassion
and called Your disciples to share in Your mission.
Open my eyes to see others as
You see them.
Fill my heart with Your love and mercy.
Help me to be willing to serve
wherever You call me,
bringing hope, encouragement, and kindness to those I meet.
May I become a faithful worker
in Your harvest
and a witness to Your presence in the world.
Amen.
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