The Harvest Is Plentiful
Ordinary Time
Today's reading · Matthew 9:36-10:8
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. You received without payment; give without payment.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion. Not polite concern, not distant sympathy, but real mercy toward people in real distress. Matthew says they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus looks at that and is moved.
Then he says something worth sitting with: the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray for workers. What's interesting is the sequence. He doesn't immediately send the Twelve. First he tells them to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers. The response to overwhelming need begins with asking, not acting.
Then he sends them. And what he gives them for the road is striking: authority, freely received, to be freely given. Aquinas reads that line as a check on pride and greed. The apostles didn't earn what they carry. It was given to them, so they give it without charge, without keeping score.
The harvest belongs to the Lord of the harvest. The laborers just show up and work. There's something freeing in that. You're not responsible for the whole field, and you didn't grow the crop. You're just asked to pray, then go, then give what you've been given.
That's the whole shape of it, really. Compassion, prayer, mission, gift.
Today's intention
I will not worry about the whole field, but focus on the plot that God wants me to till today.