Laborers Are Few
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 9: 32-38 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man 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; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This passage is an important turning point in the Gospel of Matthew. The phrase, “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” has already been used by Matthew in his Gospel, five chapters earlier (Matthew 4:23). These two nearly-identical verses explain and sum up everything in between them. They show Jesus’ mission in Galilee to teach, preach, and heal. As Matthew wraps up this section, he introduces something very important that will follow it.
At the end of this Galilean mission we’ve just spoken of, Jesus calls together His apostles. After spending time in Galilee, He sees the great need of a people who aren’t being spiritually led, and He appoints apostles to go labor in the mission field for people’s souls. After this passage, Jesus sends the apostles out to teach, preach, and heal—to continue His mission. The Church continues the mission of Christ. And we are part of this Church. Still today, the spiritual “harvest” is plentiful, but the laborers are few. The world needs Christians to work, to work hard, and to sacrifice to gather in others. Part of being a Christian is working for the Kingdom of God. Where and how do we work in God’s field?
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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