A moving reflection on Luke 10:1-9, reminding us that the harvest is full, the labourers are many, yet faithfulness is rare. ( 18-10-25)
Praise be to Jesus Christ
There was a man with a fancy shop in a small town. He received a huge order for decorative items during a festive season. It was the biggest order he had ever received. He called some workers and told them this happy news. They were very happy and enthusiastic and everyone agreed and promised to work hard.
A few days later, when the shopkeeper arrived at the workplace, he was surprised and saddened to see that some workers were sitting together and talking, others were arranging lights that nobody had requested, others were scrolling through their phones, and only one or two workers were actually working on the items they had requested. Sadly, when the customer arrived later that day, most of the work was still unfinished. The man looked around and said with sadness, “There was plenty of work, and I had plenty of workers, but many things are not ready because everyone chose to do their own thing except what I asked”
This is exactly what happens in the Church today. The harvest is still full, and the labourers are also full. Jesus once said, “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.” That was true two thousand years ago. But today, there are plenty of labourers. We have plenty of priests, sisters, catechists, and many lay faithful. However, the problem is that not all are doing what they are called to do and suppose to do. Many have forgotten the purpose of their call.
Some are busy with their own plans and comforts. Some are working hard, but not in the field where the Lord has sent them. Others are waiting, thinking someone else will do the work. Just like those workers in the shop, we too often choose what is easy rather than what is needed and asked.
In the Acts of the Apostles we see the early Church face the same issue. When too many tasks began to distract the apostles, they said clearly, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables.” They did not reject service. They simply knew their mission. They were aware of what God had asked of them, and they remained faithful to that call.
Today the Church has many workers, every baptised Christians. Church also have plenty of full-timers who have dedicated their whole life even sacrificing a family, all the priests and religious, but not all are working in the vineyard where the Master has sent them. Many are busy building, managing, and planning, but very few are truly preaching. Many are serving tables, but very few are breaking the Bread of Life.
We have institutions, schools, hospitals, and charitable works. These are all very good. But if Christ is not the reason and the goal of what we do, we will become only social workers who do good without giving the Good News. We can feed people’s bodies but forget their souls. We can bring comfort but not conversion.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said, “We are not social workers. We are contemplatives in the heart of the world. We touch the body of Christ in the poor.” That is the difference. We do not serve for the sake of service. We serve to bring Christ into every corner of the world.
Saint Luke, whose feast we celebrate today, understood this very well. He was a physician, but his greatest healing was not of the body. It was of the soul. Through his Gospel he brought the mercy and love of Jesus to generations of people. His words healed hearts and opened eyes to the kindness of God.
The harvest is still full, and the labourers are also full. The question is whether we are working for Christ or for ourselves. Every Christian, whether priest, religious, or lay person, has a duty to evangelize. Everything we do must have the intention of giving Christ. Otherwise, our work remains incomplete.
Let us go into the field again with renewed heart. Let us not wait for others to move. The Lord is waiting for us to work for Him and with Him. The harvest is full. The labourers are full. Now it is time to truly labour and to give Christ.
Lord Jesus, help me to labour with love and purpose, and to bring You to everyone I meet. Amen.
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God Bless…
Very inspiring 🌟