BE LABOURERS AND NOT SUPERVISORS IN GOD'S VINEYARD (HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

BE LABOURERS AND NOT SUPERVISORS

Matthew 9:32-37

Good morning dearest brothers and sisters,  the Gospel of today's liturgy of the word reawakens in us the truism that the call to discipleship is to be labourers and not supervisors. 

We are told that “when Jesus saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected like sheep without a Shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, the harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest” (Mt 9:36-37). 

Beloved in Christ, Jesus did not say that the disciples should pray that the Lord of the harvest may send administrators, managers, directors, controllers, supervisors, bosses, Chiefs etc to the harvest. Rather Jesus said, pray, to the Lord of the harvest to send 'labourers' to his harvest. The key word here is 'labourers'. A labourer does hard physical work. A labourer is dedicated and actively committed to his/her work. Jesus is desirous of one who is ardently ready to walk the talk committedly. The disappointment of Jesus was addressed to religious leaders, to whom the privilege of shepherding the flock of God was given but instead resorted to being supervisors and bosses, who talk the talk but never walk the talk.

The commitment of Jesus to the vineyard of God is obvious and indisputable. We are told that Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness” (Mt 9:34-35 ). This is the requirement of a labourer: total active dedication to the work in the vineyard. Unlike the Pharisees,  who tie heavy burdens on the shoulder of others but will not lift a finger to move them (Mt 23:4). Rather than be active in work, they undertook the task of supervising the work done by others. We are told in Matthew 9:32, that at the cure of a dumb demoniac by Jesus, the crowd, on the one hand, were amazed and joyous, the Pharisees, on the other hand, said, 'it is by the prince of the demons that he casts out devils. Friends in Christ, the Pharisees birthed by prejudice, as religious leaders, chose to be supervisors of the work of Jesus rather than care for the crowd who were like sheep without a shepherd. 

As disciples of Christ, dearest people of God, we need to ask ourselves the questions: are we labourers in the vineyard of God or probably supervisors as the Pharisees were? How participatory or actively involved are we in the affairs of God in our parish communities and respective homes or places of work? Are we practical in our visit and care for the sick, the abandoned, the destitute, the homeless, the orphans, widows and widowers etc? 

We pray this day that the lord of the harvest will grant us the grace to be faithful labourers in his vineyard. May the reward of the kingdom of God never pass us by in Jesus' name. Amen

Have a wonderful day!

Fr Remi osj