REFLECTIONS TODAY
Perceiving the need of the people for a leader and guide, Jesus sees an opportunity: a bountiful harvest for the reaping. The harassed and helpless condition of Israel makes it ready to respond to the Gospel. “Harvest” (Hebrew qazir) is the time when God will judge the world, to finally separate the good from evil (Jl 4:13).
The master of the harvest is God, and Jesus invites his disciples to pray that God will send laborers, i.e., apostles and evangelists, to prepare for the gathering of the harvest at the end of the world. Although Matthew presupposes that only God can take the initiative in sending out preachers of the Gospel, this does not mean that people will simply sit back to wait for the outcome. Everyone must contribute to the task of harvesting—and of sowing the Word of God at the start—so that “the sower and reaper can rejoice together” (Jn 4:36).
Gospel • Matthew 9:32-38
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. 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; 38so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024.” E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.