"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few" ~ A Reflection on the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 66:10-14c

Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Gal 6:14-18

Lk 10:1-12, 17-20

In Luke's gospel today, are we astonished to read that Jesus sent out seventy-two of his disciples to spread the Good News?  We should be, because in so short a time, Jesus must have brought hundreds of people together to follow him, to listen to his words, to see his miracles and to come to believe.

But still, Jesus knew there were thousands more who needed to hear about God's love for them and to find hope in Jesus' words and deeds.  The people were like lost sheep... fearful about their future... not knowing where to turn.  They were ripe to hear the Good News.

We learn that on their return, the seventy-two glorified God because in the name of Jesus, they were successful in performing similar miracles and through their testimony, bringing many more to belief in Jesus and his Kingdom.  These disciples were the original missionaries, sent to bring back the lost sheep of the House of Israel.

Jesus realized the even seventy-two missionaries were not enough.  He told his followers to pray to the master of the harvest to send laborers for the harvest, for there was an abundant harvest to be had.

Today, we also need laborers for the harvest; generous men and women who hear the Lord's call and will answer that call with a "Yes".  What will your answer be?



 ~ "Golden Harvest"