Sunday Gospel Reflection
Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest
Introduction:
When Jesus looked upon the people in this week's Gospel Reading he saw them exhausting themselves in order that they might listen to him. Jesus rightly interpreted their pursuit of him, as coming from a deep spiritual poverty. As he observed their quest, he was moved with compassion for them. The operative word in this story is that he was "moved" by his feelings. Many of us "feel" twinges of compassion as we observe the deep spiritual poverty of those around us, and its various physical and emotional expressions. But does it cause us to "act," to be moved to action, or just to feel?
Jesus' compassion caused him to act, and he mobilized the disciples to both pray and to become involved in providing the solution, the Good News that participation in the Kingdom of God is the answer to spiritual poverty for these impoverished people. Today the conditions and effects of people's spiritual poverty is not lessened, and in fact may be greatly multiplied. Yet as we look at the daunting task of gleaning the harvest, we must once again confess the "laborers are few." Whose responsibility is it to tell people about Jesus and the Kingdom of God which can bring them both abundant and eternal life? Whose responsibility is it to bring them the love, power, and hope that alone can change their lives of quiet desperation to lives of joy and meaningful service?
There is a story about four Christians named, Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody blamed Somebody, and Nobody excused Anybody. Conclusion: If Everybody will get in the act and pitch in, then Nobody will need to blame Anybody because Somebody will have done the job that needs to be done by Everybody."(Anonymous)
The fact is that you and I are the ones responsible to carry the Good News about Jesus and the Kingdom of God to the spiritually impoverished people in "our" world - not somebody else. Perhaps you are already doing so and participating in the task. But if you're not, won't you listen this week with the inner ears of your heart to Jesus' call for laborers? Allow yourself to be moved not only by the needs of people, but by the heart and call of Jesus.
First Reading
Exodus 19:2-6
2 And when they set out from Rephidim and came into the
wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the
mountain.
3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him out of
the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people
of Israel:
4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore
you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
5 Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my
covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine,
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel
Second Reading
Romans 5:6-11
6 While we were still weak, at the right time Christ
died for the ungodly.
7 Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man-though
perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die.
8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were
yet sinners Christ died for us.
9 Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood,
much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by
the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his
life.
11 Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 9:36-10:8
36 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.
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is
abundant but the laborers are few;
38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for
his harvest."
1 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.
2 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;
3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax
collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
4 Simon the Cananean, the Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
5 Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them
thus, "Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town,
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is
at hand.'
8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out
demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Bible Study
36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with
pity for them
-----From the context, these
"crowds" are the sick and diseased, the poor. The Greek word splanchnizein,
translated here as "pity" derives from the noun for "entrails",
"bowels", "guts", as the seat of emotions.
36b because they were troubled and abandoned,
----Harassed or bothered might
be a better translation. The Greek word used here is a somewhat vulgar word which would be
a good description of the petty annoyances to which the less fortunate are subjected.
36b like sheep without a shepherd.
-----This line probably refers
to the "people of the land" which is a contemptuous term used by the Pharisees
to designate the poor and ignorant who did not know the Law well enough to observe it
(John 7:49), and often couldn't afford to observe it. This same phrase precedes the
multiplication of the loaves in Mark. The compassion that Jesus feels for the hungry in
Mark is shown for the spiritually unenlightened in Matthew.
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is
abundant but the laborers are few;
-----The missionary work of the
disciples is compared to a harvest. Jesus will turn this problem into an opportunity.
38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers
for his harvest."
-----Pray. Only a community that nourishes
its faith through powerful prayer is apt to receive and to generate more pastoral workers.
10:1 Then he summoned his twelve disciples
-----Usually Matthew uses
the term "disciple" for a much broader group but here he narrows the focus. The
twelve are still part of the larger group, but have been picked as special. The number
twelve comes from the number of the tribes of Israel and in Hebrew numerology represents
earthly perfection. All Israel is to be restored.
1b and gave them authority over unclean spirits to
drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.
------All the synoptic evangelists
stress the importance of Jesus' emissaries having real power and authority from Him. In
calling them, Jesus takes the initiative to resolve the "harvest" problem.
2 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;
3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax
collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
4 Simon the Cananean, the Judas Iscariot who betrayed
him.
-----The word "apostle", meaning
one who is sent, occurs only here in all of Matthew. The surname Iscariot may mean
"man of Kerioth" or "liar." Notice that Peter is always listed first
and Judas is always listed last when the apostles are named.
5 Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them
thus, "Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town,
------The command to avoid evangelizing the
Gentiles and Samaritans follows Jesus' own practice as given in Matthew 15:24. The Messiah
would be born into the chosen people, the Jews. In His plan of salvation God made certain
covenants (with Abraham, Moses, David) and sent the prophets. This explains why the
Messiah and the Kingdom of God were to be preached elsewhere. In their early
apprenticeship, Jesus restricts the Apostles' area of activity to the Jews, without this
taking from the world-wide scope of the Church's mission. In His final "great
commission" he charges them to "Go and make disciples of all nations"
(Matthew 28:19).
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
-----This phrase refers first to all to Israel as
a whole, but it also refers to the "people of the land"; people who for whatever
reason were marginalized, alienated from the main
circles of religious leadership and zeal. For these, Jesus has a special concern.
7 As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven
is at hand.'
-----The message of the Apostles is to be the same as
John the Baptist's and Jesus'.
8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out
demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
-----The divine truths of salvation are so
important for everyone that they must be taught without regard
Meditation
Do you know and experience in your life the power of the gospel? The core of the gospel message is quite simple: the kingdom (or reign) of God is imminent! What is the kingdom of God? It is that society of men and women who submit to God and who honor him as their King and Lord. In the Lord's prayer we pray for God to reign in our lives and in our world: May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus' preaching of God's kingdom was accompanied by signs and wonders. People were healed not only spiritually, but physically as well. Jesus' words are just as relevant today, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We cannot buy heaven; but those who know the love and mercy of Jesus already possess heaven in their hearts! Do you believe in the power of God's kingdom?
Jesus commissioned his disciples to carry on the works which he did -- to speak God's word and to bring his healing power to the weary and oppressed. In the choice of the twelve apostles we see a characteristic feature of God's work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, had no wealth nor position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not think we have nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you believe that God wants to work through and in you for his glory?
Reflections:
· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you.
· 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." (
Matthew 9:36-38)
-----What does it mean to be a laborer in the harvest?
-----What are the attributes of a laborer?
-----How does the disciples' mission impact or clarify
the mission Jesus has given you?
. 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.
(Matthew 10:5-8)
-----What have you done or what are you doing in
order to help Jesus continue his mission of spreading the Good News?
. According to social science, a small group is not necessarily the best way to revive the Church. Look at your own group, is it helping to revive the Church? Do you know that God's ways are not your ways, and that such a small group could potentially change the world?
. Reviewing the last interesting detail above, discern your purpose within the group. For example, can you maintain your intimate relationship with God if you're not in a group? Does it make a difference?
To live His Word this week:
· Lower your voice when you talk to someone who normally gives you most unpleasant feelings
. Discern and join the spiritual/religious group if you do not have one.
For Youngsters:
. Ask your parents if you could lead when praying "The Hail Mary" in your nightly prayer.
Prayer
Lord, you have chosen me to be your disciple. Take and use what I can offer, however meager it may seem, for the greater glory of your name.