Matthew 9:26 - 10:8
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A.
No video this week, but this blog post might interest you....
Questions
1) What struck me about the text? What did I find helpful / interesting / challenging ...
2) Jesus describes the crowd as "sheep without a shepherd" ... I imagine it is normal for the shepherd, more so that the sheep, to notice and care about this: do sheep need a shepherd ... or does a shepherd need sheep? How does this image translate to my experience of both God and the church?
3) This 'sending out' text is preceded by a list, naming the twelve apostles. It can be interesting to reflect on which characters are named and which remain anonymous in gospel stories. What is the significance of being named and known in how I relate to God?
4) Why does Jesus command his disciples to go to the "lost sheep of Israel" and not to the communities beyond them? Which communities are we called to serve? Are there communities / places to which we are not called? How does this instruction speak to us in secular and multi-faith contexts?
5) Some interpret "proclaiming the kingdom of God is near" as standing on a street shouting it to passers by ... what does it look like for me? Is it something I am doing, and if so how?
6) What does it mean to "give without charge?" Is this more than just a financial instruction? Am I ever tempted to add a "cost" or expectations in return for my service? How do I avoid this temptation?