18 June, 2023 | Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Text and Video Reflection)

 Gospel Matthew 9:36—10:8

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ 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;

so ask the master of the harvest

to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Then he summoned his twelve disciples

and gave them authority over unclean spirits

to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

The names of the twelve apostles are these:

first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;

James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;

Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus,

“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”  

Reflections :

Matthew tells us that  Jesus felt compassion as he looked out over the crowds. Sheep are defenseless and vulnerable to attack without a shepherd. The shepherd normally leads them to green grass and calm waters. Without a shepherd the sheep are scattered, confused, hungry, and vulnerable. They are harassed and helpless. 

He saw a plentiful harvest in the crowds of physically and spiritually helpless people. Note how Jesus sees these helpless people as a harvest to be reaped. Let’s open our eyes to see the hungering people around us. The harvest is plentiful! The Lord of the harvest has the power. Yes, we are the laborers; but the Lord of the harvest is the provider of laborers. He alone calls and sends out laborers. In praying for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers, we are entreating the Lord to do this work and expressing our readiness to be sent as laborers.