GOSPEL

December 4, 2021 (Saturday) 1st Week of Advent

St. John of Damascus, priest Psalter: Week 1 (Violet/White) Responsorial Psalm: Ps 147: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6

Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

Gospel: Mt 9: 35 – 10: 1. 5a. 6-8

Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.”

Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town.

Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give.

Reflection:

Face to face with the needs of the people, Jesus knows that by Himself, He can never do as much for the people. But limitations do not hinder Him. He acknowledges that the laborers are too few for the harvest at hand. The same situation presents itself today for the Church. So what did Jesus do? He involves His disciples, empowering them to do mission. The Church today recognizes the great contribution of the laity in advancing the mission. They are now active participants in the Church’s life and ministry. The challenge in the time of Jesus and that of the present is the same. But it should not deter the Church in proclaiming the good news. The laity is just waiting. The Church can tap into an enormous pool of willing collaborators for God’s work here on earth.