Sunday’s Reflection: Laborers in the Harvest

Our reading today is part of one of the major discourses in Matthew and it comes right after Matthew shares with us a collection of Jesus’ words and deeds. In our passage, Matthew is naming the disciples and the sending out of the 12 disciples as laborers in the harvest. This sets up Jesus’ ministry of sending people forth in ministry and mission to love and heal those around them.

Jesus traveled to all the towns and villages, teaching in the places that the people met. He taught them about the good news of God’s love for them. He healed them in body, mind and spirit. As he looked at the people surrounding him he realized that they were like sheep without a shepherd and realized that there was much work to be done to teach them all of God’s love and promise for them. He said to his disciples, “There is much to be harvested, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

I wonder what it means to harvest? I wonder what Jesus might be calling us to harvest? I wonder if there are ways we can also be laborers in the harvest like the disciples? How can we heal and care for people?

Prayer: Loving God, we ask you to be with us as we explore what it means for us to be laborers in the harvest. Guide us in our mission and ministry. Remind us that we have the authority to love and heal those around us. Amen.