July 8, 2025

Matthew 9:32-38

In today’s reading, Jesus was going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in the synagogues, and curing diseases. “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.”  As in our own times, do the authorities care what happens to the poor?  Is not the pain of abandonment almost worse than all the other deprivations?

At this, Jesus’ mind turned to recruiting more helpers in his mission. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”  The harvest means the crowds of people in need of help and attention, the large number of souls waiting to be brought into the sphere of the divine. The laborers means the disciples and anyone delegated to represent God’s loving, healing energy in the world.

Then I hear, don’t be so taken up with my own concerns. Be happy with the flowers that are blooming, the summer weather, and all the gifts we have given you. Take solace in being the hands and feet of Jesus on earth, and rest in that. Do what you can to take care of the poor and to care for nature, a little every day. Even small window boxes or backyard gardens with some native flowers and shrubs can help the creatures survive and even trap a bit of carbon.  That is all.