Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

June 14, 2026

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 9:36-10:8

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them 

because they were troubled and abandoned,

like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples,

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;

so ask the master of the harvest

to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Then he summoned his twelve disciples

and gave them authority over unclean spirits

to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

The names of the twelve apostles are these:

first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;

James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;

Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus,

“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

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The Shepherds We Need



Rev.Randall Kraft

Parochial Vicar, Saint Agnes Church + West Chester , Pa.

After having celebrated the Easter Season and the Solemnities of the Most Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi, today we return to continuous reading of the Gospel of Matthew which marks Year A of the Lectionary Cycle. The Gospel reading for this Eleventh Sunday of Easter is Matthew’s account of the commissioning of the twelve apostles.

The reading begins when Jesus sees the crowds and “his heart [is] moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). In Greek, the verb “to be moved with pity” (σπλαγχνίζομαι) has a visceral connotation. It is derived from the noun σπλάγχνα, which literally means one’s inner organs or bowels. The kind of pity that Jesus has for the crowds is not just something sentimental; it is a profound feeling of compassion that moves him to his core.

Motivated by this compassion, Jesus then appoints for the crowds the shepherds that they need. Earlier in the Gospel of Matthew, it was Jesus alone who taught and healed the crowds. Now, he calls his twelve apostles and gives them the authority to do the same: to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, and to “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, [and] drive out demons” (Mt 10:7-8). Just as there were twelve governors appointed over the Kingdom of David to provide for the needs of the royal household (1 Kings 4:7), so Jesus appoints the Twelve to provide for the needs of his Kingdom, which is now “at hand” (Mt 10:7).

In our world today, the heart of Jesus is still moved with compassion at the peril of his sheep. And he responds to this need in just the same way as he did two thousand years ago: by calling men to serve as his shepherds, to whom he gives his own authority. In this way, the ministry entrusted to the apostles still continues in our midst.

Maybe Not the Choir: Discerning Your Unique Role in the Misson of the Church

~Gia Myers

Immaculate Conception BVM Church + Douglasville, PA.

Over a decade ago, I felt a growing desire to serve my local parish and share the Good News with others, much like the laborers Jesus speaks of in this Gospel.

I recognized the importance of becoming an active participant in the mission of the Church. To prepare myself for this mission, I immersed myself in reading Catholic books and listening to Catholic radio during the two-plus hours I spent daily commuting to and from work. This investment in my spiritual growth enriched my understanding and strengthened my resolve.

Finding the right ministry to be a part of, however, took time and discernment. Eager to contribute, I initially considered joining the church choir. Scripture tells us to make a joyful noise – but after hearing myself attempt a few cringe-worthy high notes, I had to admit my voice was a long way from joyful! Ultimately, I realized that my talents lay elsewhere.



As a writer, I discovered a fulfilling avenue for service by contributing to Catholic websites, including CatholicPhilly.com. I also started a weekly parish newsletter using the Flocknote software tool for church communication, sharing the faith as well as spaghetti dinners and bake sales. Writing has allowed me to channel my passion for the faith and touch the hearts of others through words.