The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest. (Lk 10:2)
As our national holiday is tomorrow, I am reminded of the old saying, “Knee high by the Fourth of July.”
That is the phrase that is often used to gauge whether or not a crop is going to have a good yield. If the corn is knee high, chances are really good that there will be a good crop. If not that high, it is an indicator that there has been too little water and, because of that, they will not yield as good a crop.
This is the time of year when we look around and see the farms around us — as well as our own gardens — and begin to dream of bringing in a harvest.
As we look at the potential harvest, we need to think about the “harvest” of souls as well.
There is a potential for a great harvest.
God has planted the seed and watered the soil.
He relies upon us to tend the garden and to help reap a good harvest.
We need many people in Church vocations to help in processing the potential harvest of souls.
Pray for vocations. Encourage those you know who might be good priests, deacons, brothers, or sisters.
The crops are growing and the harvest master needs help to gather in what was sown.
Will you help?
FAITH ACTION: Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for His harvest. You might want to do so by utilizing this prayer:
O God, Father of all Mercies,
Provider of a bountiful Harvest,
send Your Graces upon those
You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor;
preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.
Open the hearts of Your children
that they may discern Your Holy Will;
inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves
to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.
Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life
guided by Your Divine Word and Truth.
Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
all the Angels, and Saints, humbly hear our prayers
and grant Your Church’s needs, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.