FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
“The harvest is abundant,” Jesus begins, likely sending feelings of joy and anticipation rippling through the gathering (Luke 10:2). “But the laborers are few,” he continues, “Behold, I am sending you like the lambs among wolves” (10:2-3). That puts a damper on things! Then he sends them off on this daunting work with nothing more than the clothes in their backs. But he has given them something much greater than what they could put in a money bag or sack: the power to proclaim that the kingdom of God is near. Indeed, they return rejoicing, having cured the sick and driven out the demons. These are truly signs of the kingdom. We are those laborers for the kingdom now. We can bring peace to our households by offering forgiveness and understanding. We can heal suffering by giving comfort and care to those in need. We can drive out demons of sin, injustice, and oppression when we work to defeat them. It is not easy. Saint Paul attests to that when he says that he bears the marks of Jesus on his body. But the reward is great, for the power of Jesus’ cross, of which Paul boasts, makes God’s harvest of souls into the kingdom abundant.
What will we do to help manifest the Kingdom of God in the world?
(Lect. 102-Year C)
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