The Gospel of this day is often associated with the theme of vocations, centred on these words of Jesus: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” This image reveals that mission is an urgent necessity, born of a desire to restore life and give it abundantly (Jn 10:10). This necessity springs from the very heart of Jesus, moved by a deep compassion that expresses God’s boundless love for humanity. Our misery touches God: it provokes in him a love that bends toward us, a merciful love that reaches far beyond our smallness.
The observation is striking: the harvest is plentiful. It concerns the conversion of souls who, touched by the Good News, turn toward the Lord, each conversion being an occasion for rejoicing in heaven. Today, the pastoral field remains vast. Yet our eyes, often blinded by worldly concerns, struggle to perceive the need that stirs the compassion of Jesus.
It is Jesus himself who takes the initiative: he calls men and women to collaborate in his mission. He reaches each one in their own uniqueness, calling them by name. This is not an anonymous collective call, but a personalised vocation to which a personal response is expected. Can one respond without first listening? The quality of our response depends on the quality of our listening. The example of Judas warns us: a heart attached to greed and deceit remains closed, even in the presence of Jesus. This is a warning for all who are called: to be in the world without being of the world, without being captured by it.
Responding to God’s call requires attentive listening to his Word, in order to be able to pass it on to others. The shortage of labourers may also result from labourers who are burnt out, turned in on themselves, whose ego compromises the mission. Jesus shows us the way: pray without ceasing. Prayer keeps us in a living relationship with the Lord of the harvest and nurtures in us the trusting surrender that leads to green pastures (Ps 23).
Lord Jesus, make us capable of hearing your voice and responding to your call with freedom and sincerity. Teach us to let go of ourselves and make room for you in our lives, so that we may become monstrances through which the world sees you at work in humanity. Amen.
Sr Nelly BIKOULA A.
Vicariate St Francis COLL
