Mt 9: 32-38
After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.”
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Laboring With Christ
We are given an image in today’s Gospel that is probably familiar to us: the busy, overwhelmed Jesus. As he scurries about trying to minister to everyone under the sun, he is stretched beyond his human limitations. He drives out a demon, travels to “all the cities and villages”, teaches in the synagogues, proclaims the Kingdom of God, and cures “every disease and every sickness.” Such non-stop activity, even for this most meaningful purpose of doing God’s work, sounds outright exhausting. The Gospel seems to tell us of Jesus’ motivation: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
What is it that moves your heart to minister to others amidst the busyness of life that pulls you in all directions? Perhaps this Gospel is a call today to reflect on the way in which God is calling you to be a “laborer” with him.
—Timothy Perron, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province studying theology at Fordham University.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, help me to reflect on the heartfelt way in which you carried out your ministry to those in need. Give me the same sensitive heart and an attentive ear to hear what work you are missioning me to carry out. Do not let my own hectic life keep me from enacting your loving and tender care in service to others.
Amen.
—Timothy Perron, SJ