A little over 2 weeks ago, I was at our Motherhouse in Adrian, MI celebrating the Jubilee of 46 Sisters who had served in religious life for 80, 75, 70, 60 and 25 years. It was a great occasion and a heartfelt reunion. One of the highlights for me occurred during the Jubilee Mass. Our Prioress, Sr. Elise, gave the homily. In it, she masterfully categorized and shared all the primary ministries in which our Sister Jubilarians had served the people of God. There were teachers and professors at every level of education, administrators of hospitals, doctors and researchers, directors of literacy centers, social workers, parish education directors, nurses and midwives, etc. As she named each ministry, we knew who that Sister was. It was at once a proud moment and a humbling moment for us Jubilarians who were so grateful to God for these precious opportunities to serve those to whom we were sent. These were the laborers sent to the harvest.
I share this experience because in today’s gospel, we see Jesus tirelessly moving, teaching, and healing those placed before him. He is at the service of whomever is in his presence, no matter who they are. He thinks of them first and shows us the true meaning of compassion. The crowds were amazed; the Pharisees were appalled.
Those who believed were offered an invitation to discipleship and involvement in his mission, like my Sister-friends whose ministries I shared. He told them, and now us, that shepherds are needed for the lost and laborers are needed for the harvest. Then and now, the Lord is looking for those who have His heart, who see people with a heart of compassion and are willing to go and help them. Whatever we do for one another in need is bringing hope to them. It’s our way of being disciples. In Texas these last few devastating days, there are so many serving selflessly and compassionately those who have suffered heartbreaking losses.
May we be people who respond to others as Jesus would want us to do, wherever we find ourselves, and whatever opportunities (big or small) are presented to us to serve others.
“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.”
