Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his 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.” (Mt 9:35-38)
Today’s Gospel is often used when reflecting upon Church vocations.
It is so true that the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. We do not have as many people in Church vocations as we need. There is a dire lack of priests, brothers, and sisters.
However, we would be doing a grave disservice to this Gospel if we only focused on Church vocations with this passage. After all, laborers are not only ordained or consecrated individuals. The laborers are all the baptized. All people are called by God to labor and to bring about a rich harvest.
If we wait for priests, brothers, or sisters to bring the Good News to all the world, it will never be accomplished. There are just not enough.
We need the help of all to bring that task about.
FAITH ACTION: Are you only a “bench-warmer”? That is, do you only go to church but do nothing else to promote the Kingdom of God? If you do not do something else; i.e., Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Usher, Soup Kitchen Volunteer, Hospital Visits, Nursing Home Visits, et cetera? Try to make some time in your schedule to do the work of the Gospel.