Commentary: This passage from Isaiah was written during a time of restoration for the Jewish people. They had returned from Exile in Babylon and were working to rebuild their lives. This included rebuilding the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, which was the center of their faith. The Lord speaks here to comfort them and assure them of his loving care for them. The image used here is of a mother nurturing her child. Within the arms of the holy city of Jerusalem and, ultimately, within the arms of God, the people of God can take refuge and find comfort. This passage also points forward to the time of fulfillment in Christ when the definitive kingdom of God and holy city of heaven would be revealed. The kingdom of God is manifest in the world through the Church and this image of a mother applies also to the Church. In fact, we speak of “holy mother Church.” The Church is our spiritual mother in that it guides us, teaches us, and corrects us as needed. Like a loving, nurturing mother, the Church provides for us and shows us how to follow the right path.
Commentary: For awhile now we have been reading from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians for our second Mass reading. Today, we hear the final lines of that letter. In this letter, Paul was addressing the false teaching being spread in the region of Galatia that Gentiles must observe the Jewish ceremonial law in order to be saved. This false teaching contradicted the decision of the Apostles at the Jerusalem Council, recorded in Acts 15. The ceremonial law included circumcision, observance of kosher food laws, and the celebration of Jewish feast days, among other things. To spread this message, the false teachers, who were called Judaizers, were trying to discredit Paul’s apostolic authority. They were, in essence, telling the Christians in the region of Galatia that they could not trust Paul because he was not a legitimate apostle and, therefore, they should not follow his teaching that observance of the ceremonial law was no longer required for salvation. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, therefore, focused on reaffirming his apostolic authority and the teaching that observance of the Jewish ceremonial law was no longer required in the Church. Today’s reading should be understood in that context. When Paul said, “neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation” he was reiterating the teaching that observance of the ceremonial law was no longer necessary. What is necessary is faith and baptism, through which we become a “new creation” in Christ. Paul then exhorted the believers in Galatia to “let no one make trouble for me.” In other words, Paul was telling them to not listen to those who contradicted his teaching and tried to discredit his apostolic authority. He then gave as proof of the authenticity of his message and his authority as an apostle the fact that he “bear[s] the marks of Jesus on [his] body.” In other words, Paul had bruises and scars on his body from the physical suffering he experienced for the sake of the gospel. He had been beaten, stoned, whipped, shipwrecked, and more. His sufferings gave validity to his message, for just as Christ suffered, so would his true followers suffer for his sake. Finally, from Paul’s last words to the Galatians (“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”), we get the response “And with your spirit” in the Mass.
Commentary: There is much to learn about evangelization from this passage in which Jesus sent out some of his earliest disciples to preach the gospel. First, we can recognize that there are many souls who are ready to receive the message of Christ if only someone would share it with them, for “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” Jesus here invites us to be laborers for the gospel and answer the call to witness his love and truth to the world. Second, as Christians in a non-Christian society, we are “like lambs among wolves.” We are called to be counter cultural, to live not by the standards of this world but according to the ways of God. Often times, we will face opposition for standing up for the truth. Still, Jesus calls us to be his faithful witnesses. Third, as evangelizers, we are to trust completely in the Lord and not in ourselves. That is one reason why Jesus instructed the disciples to “carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals.” They were to rely on God to provide for their needs. Fourth, we should not allow ourselves to get distracted from the mission of sharing Christ. Jesus’ instruction to “greet no one along the way” may seem harsh and unfriendly, but the purpose seems to be to prevent the disciples from getting distracted or held up along their way. Fifth, do not get discouraged or stop sharing about Christ when you face rejection. Rather, focus on reaching out to those people who are most receptive to the message. As Christians, we are called to share Christ with everyone, but we cannot force anyone to convert. It is their choice whether or not to receive the message of Christ. If someone rejects the message, move on. Of course, continue to pray for them and love them, but do not force the issue. Sixth, the stakes are high. Jesus said of a town that rejects the message that “it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.” The city of Sodom was destroyed by fire and brimstone due to the wickedness of its people. How could anything be worse than that? Well, rejection of Christ results in an eternity of fire and brimstone. To reject Christ, means to choose separation from him for all eternity in hell. Again, the stakes are high. The message we have in Christ is life-giving and for our salvation. How, then, could we keep it to ourselves? Seventh, ultimately Christ will be victorious. The devil will not win but God will overcome evil. And, finally, let us rejoice in our salvation. Living for Christ and sharing him with others is cause for great joy. Let us, therefore, give thanks for the opportunity we have in Christ to find salvation and let us share that great gift with as many people as we can, using the guidelines we glean from today’s gospel reading.