The Harvest Is Now
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we witness a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry—He sends out seventy-two disciples, two by two, to every place He intended to visit. Their mission is clear: proclaim peace, heal the sick, and declare, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.”
It’s a profoundly moving passage not just because of the authority Jesus gives them—to cure, to cast out demons, to bring hope—but because it reminds us of our own shared mission. As our pastor beautifully pointed out, this wasn’t just a special task reserved for the Twelve or the ordained. Jesus entrusted His message to the seventy-two ordinary followers like you and me. And that changes everything.
“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.”
This line should stir our hearts. The urgency in Jesus’ voice is unmistakable. The work of the Kingdom is vast, and God’s invitation to labor in it is extended to all the baptized. It’s not limited to priests, missionaries, or religious—it’s your mission. My mission. A sacred duty and a divine privilege.
In today’s world, we may not walk barefoot into unfamiliar towns, but we are sent just the same. Into our workplaces, our homes, and our communities. We are sent not with sandals or sacks, but with grace, peace, and the power of the Spirit within us. Wherever we go, we carry the Kingdom.
Your quiet forgiveness in the face of offense, your kindness to the stranger, your courage in standing for truth—these are the same signs of God’s reign breaking into the world. As St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers… of this dark world.” Spiritual warfare is real. And yet, Christ’s authority is greater.
The seventy-two returned rejoicing. “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of Your name!” they exclaimed. And Jesus, in response, gives both reassurance and redirection: Yes, He has given us power to overcome evil. But more than the victories, He says, “rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
This is the true joy of mission—not in accomplishments, but in belonging to Christ.
Our pastor reminds us: "We are called to draw others to the faith, not only through words, but through the silent witness of our lives—like a rose that captivates not by sound, but by its beauty and fragrance."
That is your Christian identity.
This week, consider: Where is God sending you? What household, what workplace, what moment is He asking you to enter and declare peace? And when you meet resistance or rejection, shake the dust—not in bitterness, but in faith that the Kingdom has still drawn near.
The same Spirit that empowered the seventy-two lives in us. Let us rise each day not only to speak the Good News but to live it—with boldness, compassion, and unwavering trust. For the harvest is still abundant. And the Kingdom of God is at hand.