Laborers are few …

Every generation thinks that it’s troubles are unique …

Nobody understands

I’m alone in this!

where could I get sympathy, let alone, help?

‘Nobody knows the trouble I see, nobody knows, my sorrow!’

Today’s gospel tell us that

Jesus knew even in his day

Even in the presence of Jesus’ stunning miracles

and the success of their own mission,

on which Jesus is about to send them,

Jesus urges the Apostles

The laborers are few therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out more.

Today

Everyone who works in a parish

feels the weight of Jesus’ words to the Apostles the unspoken feeling in every heart is

Woe is me!

In our inner selves we may feel —

isolated: thinking, there’s no one to help!

lost: thinking, who can I ask—

to lend a hand,?

to lend some advice,?

even, to lend an ear?

Yet, in Jesus’ day

he told the Apostles to ask God for co-workers,

because they are few

But in the next paragraph

he gives them a quick instruction

and sends them on their way.

That mission

had mixed results, at best

but it didn’t deter Jesus

or the Apostles [and maybe that’s more significant]

And, after Pentecost

look what those few accomplished;

and the 12 ( ± ) that each of them sent out after them;

and the 12 ( ± ) that each of them sent out after them;

Already, after 20-30 years that’s 1,728 missionaries [or so]!

So, if some day

you’re in your room thinking,

Psalm 121:1 ESV-CE

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

the Psalmist answers in verse 2

Psalm 121:2 ESV-CE

2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

So, OK, the workers are few, I feel alone,

But, remember

It has always been so, as Jesus demonstrated in today’s Gospel.

The ones who were/are at work have succeeded beyond any expectation.

They may have felt as you do, at times

but they likely also experienced what you, no doubt, also have experienced:

help from some totally unexpected person,

or circumstance

that provided both concrete help

and companionship along the way.

Matthew 9:38 “ therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

God, who calls you, also equips you as St. Paul reminds us:

Ephesians 6:13–20

“13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God,

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,

and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

…

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,

… ]

17 and take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

making supplication for all the saints,

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly.

And, as in

Romans 8:38–39

“38 For I am sure that neither death nor life,

nor angels nor rulers,

nor things present nor things to come,

nor powers,

39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”