06/16/2026
Homily 11th Sun. June 13-14, 2026, Mt. 9:36-10:8 CY. A
In Martin Bell’s book, “The Way of the Wolf, the Gospel in New Images,” there is a story titled “The Rag Tag Army.” In the story God is described as a general who has been on a march for a long time, and you and I are among his soldiers. It seems, at times, we can’t keep the drum beating regularly. Along the way the march must stop so the General can pick up one of his tiniest soldiers who decides to wander off and play with a frog or run in the field. Yet the march goes on. Along the way some of the marchers have broken into little groups, where some of the soldiers are excluded; and others who are holding hands as they march, except those on the end of the line soon realize they don’t have anyone to hold hands with, so they join those on the other end who are holding hands as they march only to find themselves going in circles. So, God must stop again and it appears his army will never get anywhere. Our first thought could be if God were more sensible, he’d take this army and shape them up. But that’s where God is different. He is going somewhere and his march is deliberate and purposeful, and he knows where he is going. Only the march is not forced, there are frogs, and flowers along the way, and there are thorns and underbrush along the way. We don’t know where we are going but God does. We can only have faith and trust that God won’t go on without us, and that’s why it’s taking so long.
In today’s first reading and gospel we see an example of this rag tag army marching along their way. We see the Israelites marching with Moses who is conversing with God, the General. We are told that God told Moses to prepare the people for a new covenant where they’ll be his special possession.
They are delighted and readily obey Mosses, but in the next chapter of Exodus they quickly break the covenant by creating a golden calf, and the march goes on. In the gospel Jesus reminds us that we are all responsible for spreading his message, that he doesn’t want to do it alone. He tells his followers the people are like sheep without a shepherd, with no guidance. To show us that his shepherds are just ordinary people, he chose twelve of the most unlikely to be leaders in this New Way. Four fishermen, a tax collector, a Zealot, or modern terms a guerilla fighter, and a traitor, and we don’t know the occupation of the others. An unlikely crew to go and heal the sick, drive out demons and proclaim the kingdom of God. An important part of Jesus’ instruction was, “without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” In other words, a relationship with Christ is open to all regardless of what they have done or didn’t do or their state in life. And the march goes on.
I doubt that few of us have had much contact with sheep, but we can relate to a lost dog. When we see pictures or posters of lost dogs, we not only sympathize with the owners, but we might pity the dog itself being yanked out of the protective confines of the family. There are many people today who are like a lost dog or a sheep without a shepherd. Yet they don’t often elicit our sympathy and pity. We may even at times view them with a touch of suspicion or disdain. You know those people on the edges of society: the aliens, the homeless, those religiously illiterate, children without a stable family or without direction, those alienated from their church by scandals, the old and often forgotten who often feel they have no one to affirm them or
give meaning to their lives, the LBGTQ people we meet, who just want to be accepted for who they are, and those couples who have chosen to have an abortion and later feel the overwhelming guilt of such a decision. These are just a few of the sheep we encounter every day. They are our companions on the march of the general, God. The gospel tells us that Jesus was moved with pity; what is our reaction? We’ve probably heard, or maybe even a time or two said, those people are dragging our country down or they need to stay on their side of the tracks and I’ll live on mine. Yet as followers of Jesus we have the responsibility to attempt to touch their lives. But what can we do with such enormous needs? Quite possibly the newly appointed apostles felt the same. First of all, never underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer is not something we resort to when we think real action is out of reach. Secondly, become convinced that we are all in this together; there are no us and them, we are all on the journey together. Third, broaden our knowledge of the need; be open to relinquishing easy solutions based on stereotypes. It’s true there are numerous sheep who need tending but if we all increase our awareness and choose to do something to help, however small, then we can make a difference. The march is continuing and God still will have to stop once in a while to bring us back, but we together will reach our final destination.
Deacon Mike Edwards
