Pray the Lord to Send out Laborers into His Harvest
Introduction: May you respond to the Lord Jesus’ call and follow Him in the loving service of others.
What motivates your actions? Do you seek to get ahead in your job or in your status in the world? Do you seek more than a fair share of comfort and pleasure? It is not against spending time in relaxation and recreation (re-creation). Scripture speaks of the need of a day of rest each week. Yet there are some people who are only out for themselves. They are self-centered and selfish. They are only helpful to others if they will somehow benefit them in the long run. The Whole Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Master-Teacher, calls us to be other-centered. We must seek the Good of other people, even when it means that we have to give up something we treasure. We must constantly look to the example of our Master-Teacher and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we live out our lives as disciples of the Lord Jesus.
The call to, and the joy of, discipleship seem to play center stage in our readings today. The passage from Isaiah speaks of the joy that comes from a relationship with GOD. The Responsorial Psalm continues the theme of rejoicing as one contemplates the great things that the LORD has done for, and through, the Chosen Ones of GOD. In the selection from his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul writes of boasting in the cross of the Lord Jesus as he mentions that he has been crucified to the world and the world to him as he continues his ministry. In the Gospel, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples on their missionary journey. The second part of the Gospel (which is part of the expanded reading) presents what happens when the disciples return from the mission and describe their joy.
First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14c; ‘Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river.’
Commentary: We are used to the imagery of God as Father, the creator and initiator of all things. But God has no sex: these distinctions are human and animal; God infinitely transcends such human limitations. So there is also room and need for a gentler image of God as a mother: ‘as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you’, promises this passage, even daring to invoke that most maternal and intimately loving and trusting image of the child feeding at its mother’s breast. Such imagery for God as mother comes in other passages as well, such as Psalm 131, where the contentment of the believer in God is compared to that of a little child in its mother’s embrace, or Hosea 11.1-4, where God’s loving care is described in terms of a parent leading and feeding a child – the child is now growing up, and God’s maternal love continues throughout our lives. One of the chief Hebrew words describing God’s love for his people is rahamim, the plural of raham, which means a mother’s womb. It appeals, therefore, to the instinctual gut feeling of a mother for her child, which can never be destroyed or overruled.
Responsorial Psalm: 66:1-3a. 4-5. 6-7a. 16, 20. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.
Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18; ‘I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.’
Commentary: Paul is again comparing the Law and the Cross. Instead of glorying in the physical mark of circumcision, the symbol of subjection to the Law, he glories in the Cross branded on' his body – he must mean in a symbolic sense by baptism unless he means the scars of the floggings he received, which makes him a new creation. Everything is new about the Christian baptized into Christ, having left behind the old, mundane preoccupations to embrace the new freedom inspired by the Spirit. This sounds all very well, but we know, and Paul knows also that it is a constant challenge to bring this new life and a new scale of values into reality: ‘the good thing I want to do, I never do; the evil thing which I do not want – that is what I do’, he laments writing to the Romans. We are already reconciled to God, but only once does Paul say we are already saved. Even then it is ‘saved in hope’, which puts it into the future.
Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20; ‘Your peace will rest upon him.’
Commentary: The instructions to the seventy sent out are direct and simple. They are really sent out like lambs among wolves, without food, without distractions, without baggage, without spares. The version in the Gospel of Mark allows them sandals, presumably to enable them to make more speed on their journey, for the urgency of the task is paramount. They are not to be distracted by picking and choosing their accommodation or their food. Direct, too, is their method: to impart the blessing of peace and to heal. No second chance: if the blessing is rejected, away they go, leaving the town to a fate worse than that of Sodom! Again the absolute demands of Jesus! There is a wonderful simplicity about this message of the coming of the Kingdom: all that is involved is peace and healing. No squabbles, no fripperies, no complications of doctrine. If these can remain the focus of our Christian vision we may make some progress towards bringing the Kingdom of God to reality in our own surroundings.
Reflection: What kind of harvest does the Lord Jesus want us to reap today for his kingdom of truth, light, and righteousness? When Jesus commissioned seventy of his disciples to go on a mission, he gave them a vision of a vast field that is ready to be harvested for the kingdom of God. Jesus frequently used the image of a harvest to convey the coming of God's reign on earth. The harvest is the fruition of much labor and growth - beginning with the sowing of seeds, then growth to maturity, and finally the reaping of fruit for the harvest.
God's word grows like a seed within us: In like manner, the word of God is sown in the hearts of receptive men and women who hear his word, accept it with trust and obedience, and then share the abundant fruit of God's word in their life with others. The harvest Jesus had in mind was not only the gathering in of the people of Israel but all the peoples (and nations) of the world. John the Evangelist tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Be a sower of God's word of peace and mercy: What does Jesus mean when he says his disciples must be "lambs in the midst of wolves"? The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when wolves and lambs will dwell in peace (Isaiah 11:6 and 65:25). This certainly refers to the second coming of the Lord Jesus when all will be united under the Lordship of Jesus after he has put down all of his enemies and established the full reign of God over all the heavens and the earth. In the meantime, the disciples must expect opposition and persecution from those who would oppose the Gospel. Jesus came to set us free from the power of sin, Satan, and death by laying down his life for us as our sacrificial lamb (John 1:29), to atone for our sins and the sins of the world. We, in turn, must be willing to offer our lives with gratitude and humble service for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are called to speak and witness in God's name: What is the significance of Jesus appointing seventy disciples to the ministry of the word? Seventy was a significant number in biblical times. Moses chose seventy elders to help him in the task of leading the people through the wilderness. The Jewish Sanhedrin, the governing council for the nation of Israel, was composed of seventy members. In Jesus' time, seventy was held to be the number of nations throughout the world. Jesus commissioned the seventy to a two-fold task - to speak in his name and to act with his power.
Jesus gave his disciples instructions for how they were to carry out their ministry. They must go and serve others without guile (free of deceit and craftiness), full of charity (selfless giving in love for the good of others), peace, and simplicity. They must give their full attention to the proclamation of God's kingdom and not be diverted by other lesser things. They must travel light - only take what was essential and leave behind whatever would distract them - in order to concentrate on the task of speaking the word of God. They must do their work, not for what they can get out of it, but for what they can give freely to others, without expecting reward or payment. "Poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and preoccupation with possessions and makes ample room for God's provision. The Lord Jesus wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves.
Jesus ends his instructions with a warning: If people reject God's invitation and refuse his word, then they bring condemnation on themselves. When God gives us his word there comes with it the great responsibility to respond. Indifference will not do. We are either for or against God in how we respond to his word.
Our true source of joy comes from God who saves us: Why does Jesus tell his disciples to not take joy in their own successes, even spiritual ones? Jesus makes clear that the true source of joy is God, and God alone (he created us in his own image and likeness - Genesis 1:26-27). Regardless of the circumstances, in good times and bad times, in success or loss, God always assures us of victory in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Jesus assures his disciples that he has all power over evil, including power over Satan and the evil spirits or fallen angels who conspire against us. Scripture tells us that Jesus came into the world to overthrow the evil one (John 12:31). We, too, as disciples of the Lord Jesus have been given spiritual authority and power for overcoming the works of darkness and evil (1 John 2:13-14).
God gives us his life-giving word that we may have abundant life and joy in him. He wills to work in and through each one of us for his own glory. God shares his all-powerful word with us and he commissions us to speak it boldly and plainly to others. Do you witness the truth and joy of the Gospel by word and example to those around you?
Lord Jesus, may the joy and truth of the Gospel transform my life so that I may witness it to those around me. Grant that I may spread your truth and merciful love wherever I go.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Jesus the Good Shepherd changes wolves into sheep, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"How then does [Jesus] command the holy apostles, who are innocent men and 'sheep,' to seek the company of wolves, and go to them of their own will? Is not the danger apparent? Are they not set up as ready prey for their attacks? How can a sheep prevail over a wolf? How can one so peacefully conquer the savageness of beasts of prey? 'Yes,' he says, 'for they all have me as their Shepherd: small and great, people and princes, teachers and students. I will be with you, help you, and deliver you from all evil. I will tame the savage beasts. I will change wolves into sheep, and I will make the persecutors become the helpers of the persecuted. I will make those who wrong my ministers to be sharers in their pious designs. I make and unmake all things, and nothing can resist my will.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 61)
can god comfort you?: “As
a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you.” —Isaiah 66:13
In today’s first reading, Isaiah prophesies that the Lord longs to comfort His people as a mother longs to comfort her infant: “Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!” (Is 66:11; see also Is 40:1) Will we relax and trust God’s providential care for us? Or will we resist and stiffen, refusing God’s comfort?
Jesus plans to send us out as His workers and missionaries. For us to be effective in the mission field, we must trust completely in our Father’s care. Jesus calls us to be “lambs in the midst of wolves” (Lk 10:3). Consider that God the Father sent His Son Jesus to earth as an infant Lamb in the midst of wolves. Jesus totally trusted Mary and Joseph to care for Him, even though wolves such as King Herod sought to put Him to death (Mt 2:16-18).
Jesus wants us to be missionaries who trust the Father as infants trust their parents. He sends us out without “walking staff or traveling bag” so we cannot trust in our own provisions, but only in what the Father provides (Lk 10:4). He tells us not to move from house to house and to eat whatever is set before us (Lk 10:7). This is so we won’t seek comfort in lodging and food; instead, we imitate children who eat what their parents put on the table. Thus we can focus not on our own needs, but on comforting God’s people as He has comforted us (see 2 Cor 1:3-7). Relax and trust God as an infant trusts its mother.
Prayer: Father, do in me whatever You want so that You may do through me whatever You will. “All that matters is that one is created anew.” —Gal 6:15. All praise to You, risen Jesus, Lord of the Universe. Alleluia!
The personal action for today: What is my reaction when I see the marvelous “fireworks” that happen when the message of Jesus is being proclaimed? Do I focus on the spectacular displays, or do I give thanks to GOD Who has worked them in my life? How can I more effectively proclaim the Good News of Jesus to those whom I meet this day, this week? Do I trust GOD enough to proclaim the Gospel message without worrying about all the incidentals? Do I see GOD as a nourishing and nurturing Parent Who provides for me in all circumstances?
*Saint Maria Goretti: One of the largest crowds ever assembled for a canonization—250,000—symbolized the reaction of millions touched by the simple story of Maria Goretti. She was the daughter of a poor Italian tenant farmer, had no chance to go to school, and never learned to read or write. When Maria made her First Communion not long before her death, she was one of the larger and somewhat backward members of the class.
On a hot afternoon in July, Maria was sitting at the top of the stairs of her house, mending a shirt. She was not quite 12 years old, but physically mature. A cart stopped outside, and a neighbor, 18-year-old Alessandro, ran up the stairs. He seized her and pulled her into a bedroom. She struggled and tried to call for help. “No, God does not wish it,” she cried out. “It is a sin. You would go to hell for it.” Alessandro began striking at her blindly with a long dagger.
Maria was taken to a hospital. Her last hours were marked by the usual simple compassion of the good—concern about where her mother would sleep, forgiveness of her murderer (she had been in fear of him but did not say anything lest she cause trouble to his family), and her devout welcoming of Viaticum, her last Holy Communion. She died about 24 hours after the attack.
Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. For a long time, he was unrepentant and surly. One night he had a dream or vision of Maria gathering flowers and offering them to him. His life changed. When he was released after 27 years, his first act was to beg the forgiveness of Maria’s mother.
Devotion to the young martyr grew, miracles were worked, and in less than half a century, she was canonized. At her beatification in 1947, her 82-year-old mother, two sisters, and her brother appeared with Pope Pius XII on the balcony of St. Peter’s. Three years later, at Maria’s canonization, a 66-year-old Alessandro Serenelli knelt among the quarter-million people and cried tears of joy.
Maria may have had trouble with catechism, but she had no
trouble with faith. God’s will was holiness, decency, respect for one’s body,
absolute obedience, total trust. In a complex world, her faith was simple: It
is a privilege to be loved by God, and to love him—at any cost.
