Fourteenth Ordinary Sunday, Year C
Theme: Why Pray to Master of Harvest to Send Labourers? 為甚麼求莊稼的主人派遣工人來收割？
On the last few days, the Permanent Deacons went to their annual retreat. The theme of this retreat is “To discern the Diaconate Vocation and to understand how to assist parishioners discerning the will of God in our ministry”, a very broad and grand theme indeed. We were given five passages to meditate as a warm up. The next day, we met our spiritual directors who would assign further passages for meditation according to the movements of our spirit. Mine turns around the theme of “Judgment”. Superficially, it is not much related to the theme of retreat. However, on a second thought, it enriches the main theme.
Among the last batch of texts for meditation is Matthew 9:35-38. It mentions of Jesus’ compassion towards the distressed crowd which looked like sheep without a shepherd. Fair enough, as a sign of the servant role of the Church in the world, we deacons should have compassion. From the text, we learn that Jesus taught the crowd, cured them of their illnesses and subsequently even fed them. This is Jesus’ judgment understood as salvation. Whoever desires and welcomes Him, Jesus would naturally show them compassion and deliver salvation. But Jesus came and disrupted the status quo which was a comfort zone for many. Comfort zones cut many people’s connection with God away. In trying to shake up the status quo, Jesus made many enemies who were hostile and actively sought evidences and opportunities to eliminate Him. Yet, Jesus still showed them mercy and tried patiently to win them over while preserving their faces and dignity. Jesus is merciful and embraces all shades of sinners. This is His justice. This is His judgment/salvation.
In a similar manner, we deacons should preach the gospel to all sorts of people with patience like Jesus, heal the vulnerable and give people hope. In this way, we’re simply doing what the Lord requires of us: “Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8b), one of the warm-up readings.
I think it is no coincidence that the second half of the meditation text resurfaces in the gospel text today. Now that I have given up most of my charity ministries, what remain are ministries at the altar and of the Word. I enjoy writing web pages and computer programs these days to make the Bible relevant in the modern world. Have I departed from the right path? The merciful Lord wants me to delve deeper on my diaconate vocation with this piece of text. So, allow me to suspend judgment for the moment and meditate on the text first.
“The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out labourers for his harvest.” (Matthew 9:38, Luke 10:2) The text is puzzling and questions naturally arise. Why do we ask/pray to the master/God to send labourers for His harvest in the first place? The harvest is His. He would definitely send labourers for the harvest, wouldn’t He? It’s illogical NOT to send. He would not allow His harvest to rot or allow robbers to plunder/destroy His harvest, would He? Surely He has His schedule of sending labourers. Who are we to force the hand of the Master?
We should also consider the labourers. The Master should not impose His will on the would-be labourers as well. Of course, the Master would put up a classified ad, enumerating the wages and benefits and lay down the job description. Those who want to join would apply.
There are two very probable outcomes: Those who respond might eye the benefits only and might not be interested in the well-being of the harvest, especially when the Church is popular and powerfully established. On the other hand, those who genuinely care about the well-being of the harvest might feel that they don’t meet the qualification. Therefore, ordinary advertisements are not appropriate. Jesus put up a classified ad which surely will filter away the candidates He is not looking for. Pray to the Master of the harvest. In so doing, you show your genuine care of the harvest and you do not come to steal fame and power. What about those who do not meet the minimum requirement of becoming a clergy or missionary? Brethren! Is there any minimum requirement? Have you forgotten the story of the poor widow who offered up two brass coins in the Temple? Have you not understood God’s MO? He likes to elevate the poor and the weak to humiliate the haughty and the powerful.
Why do you, and not others, care? I think the prayer is an awakening of what your true identity/mission is. “Before birth, the Lord called me, from my mother’s womb, He gives me my name” (Isaiah 49:1) “But when God, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased” (Galatians 1:15) Before the creation of the known universe, God had written a script for you. He sets you apart and calls you to accomplish a mission. Through your prayer/discernment, you awake to your true mission. When I look back, I realize that the people I met helped unfold my final destiny as a deacon. My cousin and the evangelization van which offered free medical services opened my life to Christianity. My alma mater and Fr. Tapella, PIME planted in my heart the seed of mercy and service etc. You will know when you hear your name called. The events are unique because each one of us is unique. In fact, I had thought about becoming a priest in the early years of my baptism. But I was not able to let go. So I promised God, “Let me love more before I respond to the priestly vocation.” I don’t think I knew the gravity of what I said to God. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and substitute every “love” with “God”. Then you’ll know.
Brethren! When you care, you pray. Then you’re elected a labourer, a servant and a deacon to meet the needs of the depressed crowd! Do what Jesus does: teach them, heal them, feed them and do whatever you do best! Have no fear for your poverty because it is the Holy Spirit who shall speak and work through you.
Dear Lord! I’m sorry that I have wasted the efforts and time of organizers of the last few retreats because I could not let go. I thank You for helping me let go during this one. The two thousand plus dollar price tag is nothing. I’m free from bondage and am able to savour the graces infused in this retreat.
Lord, the Internet and the social media are an abundant harvest. These technologies have become a necessity, not a luxury for modern people. Here is a field of abundant harvest, an uncharted West to explore and to evangelize. Lord, help me venture into this turf to populate it with signs of your presence and of your mercy. Amen.
2019 Reflection
Picture Credit:stceceliachurch.org
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