Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends out 72 of his disciples (separate from the 12 Apostles) to prepare the hearts of the towns Jesus intends to visit. And in this short passage Luke teaches us some of the essentials of the Christian mission. Before they even begin, Jesus asks them to pray. But isn’t it interesting what Jesus asks them to pray for?

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

We see a bit of Jesus’ heart here. He has an obvious love for those who are physically close to him—these 72 and the twelve apostles—but here he also shows his particular love for those who do not know him and who Jesus longs to have a relationship with and to pour out his love for. It reminds me of a related passage in Matthew that takes place right after the mission of the 72 when Jesus sets out to visiting the towns, and sees so many people in need:

At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Ever since Jesus’s petition for us to pray that the Father send out laborers for his harvest, the Church has been praying constantly for people to respond to the Christian call to bring the love of Christ to the many people thirsting for truth, love, and communion. As part of the Lord’s response, The Second Vatican Council had a particular emphasis in encouraging all Christians to take up this mission, but not as a burdensome command, but rather to simply share the gift that we have received: the love of Christ and the communion that he brings. In the “valley of tears” that this world can often be, so many people thirst for that love. May the Lord send out his people to share with them this love.

-Michael Gokie, Assistant Newman Director