Readings: Gen. 32:23-33 , Ps. 17, Matt 9:32-38
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
THE LORD NEEDS FAITHFUL LABOURERS IN HIS VINEYARD. ARE YOU ONE?
When we look critically at the streets, we will observe how people are struggling with the things of this passing world. We will fill their passion, their determination and willingness to achieve great things in life at the expense of things that prepare us for eternal life. Today, life has become nothing for some people. Greed, corruption and selfishness have rendered so many people into perpetual poverty and suffering.
Reflecting on these, my mind turned towards the words of Jesus in our Gospel passage today, when he saw the crowds and had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest’.
Here, Jesus had compassion on humanity who were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. He then says to his disciples that there is a huge harvest waiting to be reaped. Calling on us to pray for God to send labourers into his harvest.
Therefore, more labourers are needed, for Jesus sees how humanity is harassed and dejected, wandering aimlessly like sheep without a guiding shepherd. And because the souls of everyone in the world are so precious to Jesus, he needs many more labourers.
Hence, the harvest is as big as ever, and people are getting lost and clueless as never before. But who are these labourers? They are not just the bishops, priests, or religious men and women, but every baptised person is called in a different capacity as God’s labourers to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around them.
So each of us has a vocation, a call to save souls and build the Kingdom of God together, just like Jacob in our first reading today, who wrestled with God and his name was changed to Israel, because he had been struggling against God; thus shall prevail against men.
Dear friends, the Lord desires to have faithful labourers. Are we among them? As labourers of the Lord, how are we carrying out this mission and mandate of Christ? How strong is our compassion towards others? Do we know people who are harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd? Let us look at them for a moment and imagine Jesus looking at them and saying something to them. Do we feel harassed and helpless as a result of what we are going through in life? Do we feel the need for Jesus’ help in some part of our lives? Then turn to him for restoration
Remember, as labourers, each one of us is called today to reach out to people at any particular corner of the field of harvest where we are now, for we may be the only person who may have access to reach out to them. Therefore, let us start from our families, neighbours, colleagues in the office and others whom we encounter in our lives, because we may be the only person who can bring the healing and compassion of Jesus into their lives.
LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace and courage to be faithful labourers in your vineyard, who will labour to bring souls to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed day.
No comments:
Post a Comment