THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
Introduction: The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. This is a very optimistic yet relative observation made by Jesus to His disciples before He sends them for a mission journey. He sends seventy-two disciples to the towns and villages in Palestine where He Himself could not go personally: To preach the Gospel, to heal the sick, to cast-out demons, to forgive sins, to bring hope and love to the lonely and to the lost and the least. Every Christian is sent by Christ into the world around as a messenger of hope and love. We are all responsible for this mission of Jesus which He entrusted to His disciples.
First Reading: Isaiah 66: 10 to 14
Second Reading: Galatians 6: 14 to 18
Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 1 to 12 and 17 to 20
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. During the Babylonian exile, the people of Israel had innumerable persecutions and sufferings. Isaiah consoles them in their sufferings and hardships. He encourages the returned exiles to rebuild the holy city of Jerusalem. Isaiah compares Jerusalem to a nursing mother who tenderly cares for her children: An imagery of peace, contentment and love.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. Paul instructs the Christian community at Galatia and us that Christian life is a new existence: That is, becoming Christ like in everything we do or say. Paul explains to them that though he had to suffer much; illness, flogging and stoning, he bears the marks of Christ's passion on his body. For Paul, nothing-else matters but to keep Christ crucified ever in mind.
The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus sends His seventy-two disciples on a mission journey. He strictly instructs them regarding the tough task ahead and the tremendous challenges they will face during their journeys. He challenges them to a lead a radical way of life like that of a wandering preacher: One who faces persecutions, homelessness, loss of family ties and loss of all material comforts. They are not to be encumbered with extra-luggage of any sort. They are not to spent time on the way-side for the so-called chitchats and small talks. They are not to look for comfortable resting places. They are to be content with whatever is available and provided by the people of the town or village. Hence, single-minded devotion to the entrusted task is the hall-mark of a disciple of Jesus. Jesus invites each one of us to continue His mission. Like those seventy-two, Jesus sends us too with the command: 'Be on your way, go into your neighbourhoods, schools, factories and offices and proclaim my peace, heal in my name and make my presence felt wherever you go.' It is up to us to respond whole-heartedly to the invitation of the Lord. In this context St. Francis of Assisi says: "Preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words."
Conclusion: Jesus sent out His seventy-two disciples to all places where He Himself could not go. The messenger does not replace Jesus. He or she is instructed to prepare the way for Jesus to come to the other person. Those seventy-two were sent to gather everyone, to collect the harvest and bring it home. We are sent out in the same way, and that is why all of us, of whatever cultural background or linguistic background should be gatherers and peacemakers. WE ARE OF THE SEVENTY-TWO.
May the Lord Jesus bless you that you may live up to the many challenges in life in proclaiming His Word to the world around you. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, July 6, 2025." Thanks.)
