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FROM THE PULPIT
FOURTEETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 66: 10-14;Galatians 6: 14-18; Luke 10: 1-9. “THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW; PRAY THEREFORE THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST”. Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp. The prophet Isaiah invites the people of Israel to rejoice over the City of Jerusalem and be enthusiastic in the work of rebuilding her future; because God is going to make her like a mother. Israel will be like a child at breast who depends on the mother for nurturing and growth. This vision of the prophet would help the people of Israel imagine a better Jerusalem than the pre-exilic one, work hard and hope for prosperous days ahead. In those days, people of nations will bring their worth to Jerusalem as tourists and pilgrims. The holiness of God will be manifested for having transformed Jerusalem from rubbles to splendor. If we cannot imagine a greater future for ourselves, we will neither have a strategy nor the strength to achieve it. “THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW; PRAY THEREFORE THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST”. As Church, we need to envision a greater future supported by our faith in God who accomplishes wonders through us and with us. The harvest is the world and the laborers are the followers of Jesus Christ. As followers, Jesus gave us a mission and a command “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28: 19-20). Today’s Gospel’s message is so urgent and important as it was 2000 years ago; Our Church is suffering from the shortage of priests and lay ministers. All over our great nation, parishes are being combined or grouped under one pastor. Fewer and fewer parishioners accept to volunteer and minister to fellow members and doing out-reach to the unchurched and non-believers in the Lord. Are we seeing ourselves as a dying church or as a growing church? We are called to be a vibrant and growing Church because Jesus is alive and present in the Church. We all know that winter is not the best time to make a decision whether a tree is dead or alive for its life is hidden in the roots. In the same way, what we experience now in the Church cannot in any way signify the death of the Church. Church is experiencing its springtime in Africa and Asia. We need to strengthen our global and catholic solidarity in order to continue bringing the Good news of salvation to all creation. Christ has empowered to bear witness to his resurrection and to overcome Satan himself. Let us commit ourselves to be active disciples and a community of people who care for each other. |