In Matthew 9:37-38, the Lord said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
There are few sights more shocking than a field of produce rotting in the sun for lack of people to harvest it, when we know there are so many people in the world dying of hunger. There is also something eminently satisfying in being part of a team that brings in a harvest of produce and sends it to the market and, ultimately, the tables of the people who will buy the food.
It is this image that Jesus now applies to the concept of our faith. It reminds us that there are still many who have never heard the Gospel and are hungry to hear it and who will respond to it if only someone will share and proclaim it to them!
Whether we like it or not we have been entrusted with the awesome responsibility to bring the Gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth. St. Paul tells the Corinthian people that we hold within our lives a precious treasure — the death of Christ — and it is our responsibility to share this Good News with others (2 Corinthians 4). Will we take up the call and be faithful and persevering in bringing in the harvest?
Yes, it requires a lot of work to disciple someone, but let us never forget that someone has done that for us! Surely we can invest some of our time to share the Gospel with others, even if only to show our gratitude for having received the Gospel ourselves!
Jesus gave His life on the cross so that we might be saved. The cost of bringing in the harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God pales in significance compared to Jesus’ commitment. This may sound like an emotional blackmail to you, but it is the truth. Jesus tells us that the harvest is ready; all He needs is for us to take up the task of bringing it in.
I can assure you from my own experience that nothing is more fulfilling and satisfying in life than helping another person come to faith in Christ and seeing the transformation in his life. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL
Reflection Question:
How much time and energy do I devote to sharing the Gospel with others?
Jesus, help me to realize that it is not only a responsibility but a privilege to share in the work of evangelization by bringing Your salvation to all men and women.
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