Thoughts for the Day

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In the previous passages before today's reading Jesus has been criticized by the Pharisees and others, but this has not stopped him travelling around the whole region of Capernaum to teach and heal the people. When he sees the need of the people we are told he had compassion for them. The Greek word used for compassion indicates that he was moved to the core of his being, and he likens them to sheep without a shepherd, and a harvest without labourers.

In the UK last summer we heard of many farmers who had insufficient labourers to pick their crops, and of crops that went to waste because of this. The work of a labourer in the field is undervalued today, but a day's work will cause most people to re-evaluate their worth. It is to this kind of hard work that Jesus likens ministers of the Church - those who preach, teach, and nurture the faithful; and those who dedicate their life to the work of Christ's Church.

Today is an Ember Day - when we pray and eat more frugally. May all of us therefore, pray that God will call more men and women to dedicate their lives to His work, and that they will respond to that call, for the labourers are indeed few.

Lord God,
You call us to be Your people,
to spread the Good News
of the Kingdom,
and you give us different gifts
to use in this work.
May those called to be ministers
hear and answer Your call
to be faithful servants of Your word.
Amen.