Praise God. Praise be to Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Friends,
Our hearts were created to beat in rhythm with the very heart of God—a heart full of love, mercy, justice, hope, and joy. And this God of ours is not far off. No, He is near—close enough to stir our souls and call each of us to mission.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says something striking: “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.”
It’s not just a gentle reminder—it’s a divine summons. The needs of our world are great. People long for healing, compassion, and dignity. But too often, the response is silence. Too often, the laborers are few.
Let me tell you about a woman who heard the call.
For decades in Ethiopia, thousands of women suffered from a condition called obstetric fistula—a childbirth injury that left them in pain and shame. They were isolated and forgotten. But one woman, Dr. Catherine Hamlin, an Australian physician, saw the need. And she didn’t turn away. She built a hospital, dedicated her life to their care, and restored not only their bodies but their dignity. She became a laborer in a forgotten field. And through her, God’s love reached the broken.
Today’s readings reflect that same divine mission.
From Isaiah, we hear God promise comfort—“as a mother comforts her child.” That’s the kind of love Dr. Hamlin lived. That’s the love God wants from each of us.
In Galatians, Paul proclaims that "his only boast is in the cross of Christ." Why? Because in that cross is the power to make us new—to free us from sin, pride, and fear. Dr. Hamlin didn’t glorify herself. She glorified Christ by lifting up those who had been cast down.
And in the Gospel of Matthew, we see the heart of Jesus. He looks out at the crowds—*“harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”* And what does He do? He sends His disciples out. He gives them authority. He tells them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and proclaim: *“The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”*
That’s our call too.
To be laborers who bring:
- God’s Love, the bedrock of our faith
- God’s Mercy, reaching into the hidden corners of hurt
- God’s Justice, lifting up the voiceless and restoring the forgotten
- God’s Hope, burning like a light in darkness
- God’s Joy, filling our lives as we serve in His name
Friends, we may not be called to a hospital in Ethiopia—but make no mistake, our mission field is all around us. In our homes. Our parishes. Our neighborhoods. Our schools and workplaces. Wherever there is pain, fear, injustice, or loneliness—there, the harvest is waiting.
So rise up. Be bold. Be good. Be Holy. Be faithful. Love generously. Serve without counting the cost.
Answer the Lord’s call—not someday, but today.
And may your life, your witness, your everyday choices reflect the magnificent fruits of God’s love, mercy, justice, hope, and joy.
Praise God. Praise be to Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.
