Laborers Are Few

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120917.cfm) reminds me that God needs me to work for his kingdom. 

In the gospel, we see that Jesus tirelessly worked for God’s kingdom. He proclaimed the gospel and healed the sick everywhere he can. However, he cannot do it alone, not because he is powerless, but because we need human interaction to feel God’s love. God needs us to help him in building his kingdom on earth. God needs warm bodies to reach out to others, to make others feel His love for them. We cannot just think that God is powerful and will send someone to help. Maybe we are that someone God is sending to help others.

God needs workers for his kingdom.

As Jesus sent his disciples on a mission, he too is sending us. Life on earth should not just be about us. It should not be just about what we want to do or to happen. We should not forget who gave us life in the first place. We should not forget who loved us first, who saved us, and who continues to bless us.

As we are blessed, as we are filled with God’s love, we are also called to pass it to others. We are blessed not for us to keep it, but bless others as well. We experience God not just for us to treasure the moment, but share him with others. We have a relationship with God not just for ourselves, but for others to have the same relationship as well.

It is easy to just focus on oneself, on the people you love, on what you want. But God reminds us that we should also be workers for him. No matter where we are and what we do, we are called to be workers for God’s kingdom.

May we be ready and willing to work for God's kingdom and make his love more real and more alive. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to rest. Thank you for another opportunity to feel your love. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for the reminder of what you want and need me to do. Lord, sorry for the times I am too lazy. Sorry for the times I am not willing to work for you. help me be a willing worker for your kingdom. Help me be like Jesus and the disciples who tirelessly worked for you. May I be willing to step out of my comfort zone and do things for your kingdom. As I do my best, I ask that you bless my actions and bless my efforts so people can get to know you and get to feel you. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 9, 2017
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 180

Reading 1IS 30:19-21, 23-26

Thus says the Lord GOD,
the Holy One of Israel:
O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem,
no more will you weep;
He will be gracious to you when you cry out,
as soon as he hears he will answer you.
The Lord will give you the bread you need
and the water for which you thirst.
No longer will your Teacher hide himself,
but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher,
While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears:
"This is the way; walk in it,"
when you would turn to the right or to the left.

He will give rain for the seed
that you sow in the ground,
And the wheat that the soil produces
will be rich and abundant.
On that day your flock will be given pasture
and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows;
The oxen and the asses that till the ground
will eat silage tossed to them
with shovel and pitchfork.
Upon every high mountain and lofty hill
there will be streams of running water.
On the day of the great slaughter,
when the towers fall,
The light of the moon will be like that of the sun
and the light of the sun will be seven times greater
like the light of seven days.
On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people,
he will heal the bruises left by his blows.

Responsorial PsalmPS 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (see Isaiah 30:18d) Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers. 
R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
Great is our LORD and mighty in power:
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

AlleluiaIS 33:22

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The LORD is our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King;
he it is who will save us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 9:35–10:1, 5A, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness. 
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest." 

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness. 

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
"Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 
As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."