Today’s Gospel by Matthew tells us that Jesus’ heart felt pity for the crowds as “they were troubled and like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus then tells his disciples that “there are too few laborers for the harvest and thus the master should be asked to send more workers for the abundant harvest to be gathered.” Jesus then appoints the twelve apostles (apostle meaning “one who is sent”) to minister to His sheep. In other words, Jesus is turning these sheep into shepherds that are desperately needed. Jesus speaks of the people as crops ready for the harvest. These metaphors, directed to the
crowds- and to us- could be seen as devaluing us. But the opposite is the point of Jesus’ message. He sees each of us as a treasure of great value… just as the farmer values his sheep and his crops. And He knows there will always be a need for the clergy (the Pope as successor of Peter and Bishops as successors of the apostles) but also for evangelists and missionaries. We are meant to see ourselves as both the sheep and the shepherd. We know that we must rely on the guidance of our Pope and the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. But we too have a role through our Baptism to be evangelists and ministers to the sheep. Are we a witness by our life to the real presence of God in our world? Are we serving the Church in the many lay ministries that are in desperate need of volunteers? Do we touch and model to our children and grandchildren how to walk the path of Christ? Do we offer a welcoming smile, a helping hand, a generous donation of time and talent? We each have received unique gifts of God’s grace and we are called to freely give them to the benefit of others.
 

Reflection by parishioner, Dale Gerber