Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C

Isaiah 66: 10-14c

Thus says the LORD: Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her! Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort. When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD's power shall be known to his servants.

Psalm 66: 1-7. 16. 20

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,

sing praise to the glory of his name;

proclaim his glorious praise.

Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"

"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,

sing praise to your name!"

Come and see the works of God,

his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.

He has changed the sea into dry land;

through the river they passed on foot;

therefore let us rejoice in him.

He rules by his might forever.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare

what he has done for me.

Blessed be God who refused me not

my prayer or his kindness!

Galatians 6: 14-18

Brothers and sisters: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Luke 10: 1-12. 17-20

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."

The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Questions:

- It is written in the book of Isaiah: “(…) as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.” – In the moment of difficulties, do I seek God's comfort or do I sometimes blame Him for the situation? How can I turn to Him in prayer, to try to better understand what is happening in my life?

- It is written in the Letter to the Galatians: “From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.” – What does it mean to me, that I belong to Christ? When is it a joy to me? When do I feel that it is difficult? How does this belonging connect me to other Christians, even if they are different from me? How does it connect me to all who believe in God?

- Jesus said in the Gospel: “Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you." – When do I try to bring peace to others? When don’t I? How can I remain calm when others do not accept me, or the peace I would like to bring them?

Questions for children:

- It is written in the book of Isaiah: “(…) as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.” – Do I try to understand that God always wants the best for me: and in good situations He is happy with us and in bad situations He wants to strengthen and comfort us? What could be examples of the different situations?

- It is written in the Letter to the Galatians: “From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.” – What does it mean to me, to be Christian? What about that makes me happy? When do I feel more difficulty? How does belonging to Christ connect me to other children in the kehilla or in the whole Church, even if they are different from me?

- Jesus said in the Gospel: “Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you." – How do I treat people, those I know them and those I do not know? Do I bring them peace?