"The Harvest Is Abundant, But The Workers Are Only Few."

"As they were going away, some people brought to JESUS a man who was dumb, because he was possessed by a demon.  When the demon was driven out, the dumb man began to speak.  The crowds were astonished and said, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.'  But the Pharisees said, 'HE drives away demons with the help of the prince of demons.'

JESUS went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and HE cured every sickness and disease.  When HE saw the crowds, HE was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then HE said to HIS disciples, 'The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few.  Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.'" - Matthew 9:32-38 

(With this paragraph that briefly summarizes the ministry of JESUS in Galilee, Matthew intends to show that indeed the kingdom of GOD is there: evil has been given a fatal blow.

HE was moved with pity, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  See Numbers 27:17; Ezekiel 34:5; Zechariah 10:3; John 4:35; Mark 6:34; and Luke 10:2.

JESUS asks each of us to serve humankind with our own talents.  HE needs also workers for the harvest of the kingdom, that is, to gather into the Church those who receive a call from GOD.  "Pray," says JESUS, "and you will perhaps hear GOD's call."

Of course, each Christian community prays to GOD and the Spirit brings forth the charisms and ministers and pastors that are needed.  Here JESUS asks us to pray for workers in the mission field: they are and always will be too few, especially those who evangelize and build the Church among the poor.)

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