The Laborers Are Few

HOMILY OF FRIDAY OF THE 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B 18TH OF OCTOBER 2024
1st reading : 2 Timothy 4:10-17
Psalm 144:10-13,17-18
Gospel : Luke 10:1-9

(FEAST OF ST. LUKE THE EVANGELISTS)

Not much is known about Luke. However, we know that he is one of the earliest disciples, as seen in the first reading of today. He is also the author of the gospel account of Luke and the acts of the apostles’ narrative. It shows that he was a prolific writer who has helped through his writings to preserve the teaching of Christ. Luke serves as an example of true laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, contributing to the spread of the Gospel through his work.

In our gospel text today, Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him to preach the word of God to the people. Accompanied with this mission is his famous dictum, “the harvest is rich but the laborers are few”

As St. Gregory the great in one of his homilies pointed out, the above can not be said without a heavy heart, for although there are many to hear the good news, there are only a few to preach it. Indeed, see how full the world is of priests, (ministers, pastors, evangelists, men and women of God) but yet in God’s harvest, a true laborer is rarely to be found; although we have accepted (these offices), we do not fulfill its demands.

Jesus discovers this problem and tells his disciples, “Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals.”

The purse, haversack, and sandals signify material possessions, or the intention for the acquisition of material wealth, which serves as an effective agent in slowing down the work of the laborers, or even shifting their attention from the labor (the harvest), to their own personal satisfaction.

And so, the vineyard of the Lord is now taken as a place or means for self satisfaction and gratification instead of working for the Lord and winning souls for Him.

In this way, what Jesus said to his disciples over two thousand years ago, He will also say to the ministers, prophets, teachers, pastors, priests, and evangelists of this generation. Many hunger for Christ, but only a few are ready to preach the authentic message without diluting it to suit personal interests.

Therefore, let us pray that God may give courage to the laborers, that they may be filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, to accept the terms of their mission, and to carry them out to the glory of God.

Peace be with you 🙏🏾🙌🏾