Gospel Reflection June 18 – Deacon Paul Zemanek

June 16, 2023

Sunday, June 18

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 9:36 – 10:8

Gospel:

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them

because they were troubled and abandoned,

like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples,

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;

so ask the master of the harvest

to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Then he summoned his twelve disciples

and gave them authority over unclean spirits

to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

The names of the twelve apostles are these:

first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;

James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;

Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus,

“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Gospel Reflection:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so, ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Well, very much like the twelve apostles (which means to send forth) of Jesus’ day, today the Church is also looking for those Laborers to bring in the Abundant Harvest.

Who are these “laborers” that Jesus is speaking about? Well, they are you and me! Though none of us may start out as laborers in the harvest of Christ’s kingdom, when God plants seeds of His Word into us, and with the watering of His Spirit and the warmth of His love, those seeds begin to grow. For as we grow in God, we become His laborers. We go forth in God and we work in the world doing good by showing God to others who do not know Him. We do this by opening up our loving arms to bring cheer to a sad heart. We listen when someone needs to talk about a problem. We share our experience of God in our life and the relationship we have with Him.

And so, friends, are you a laborer for Christ Jesus? God is calling “YOU” to work in the field for there is a ripe harvest awaiting to reap for God’s kingdom.

This weekend, let us also remember to thank all of the Father’s in our lives and show them our appreciation and our gratefulness for what they have done for us. May God bless them always. Happy Father’s Day!!

Deacon Paul Zemanek