DAILY HOMILIES #harvest

Just as God spoke and creation came into existence, they create something in us whenever we hear God’s words. This is what the prophet Isaiah proclaims in today’s first reading. Just as rain does not fall without causing plants to grow, God’s words are never uttered in vain. They never return to God empty (i.e. without accomplishing what God intends).

Dear friend, do you constantly complain about others? Or are you a Jacob who knows how best to take advantage of whatever may be their situation? When did you last ask for a blessing from your parents or an older person?

There are different hearts, the stony heart, the root-less heart, the distracted heart, and the rich heart. There are different ways people respond when they hear the word of God, but the beauty of it all is that the word of God is so powerful that in whatever heart it enters, it does not remain stale. Something must happen.

Mankind’s problems are too many but then, by failing to do the little we can, we contribute to the problem. Jesus did not solve all the problems in the world but He did His best. He touched lives. He made good use of His power and authority. Matthew tells us Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching, proclaiming the good news, and curing every disease and sickness. You too can do something. However, know that if you decide to work for God, people will hate you, they will try to discourage you by spreading false tales about you. Imagine the Pharisees claiming that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of demons!

Pray that God sends more labourers into the harvest. Pray for your leaders, pray for your shepherds, pray for me! As you pray for us, perhaps, you too might begin to hear the call of God. Perhaps, God will open your eyes to see many areas where you too can contribute your quota towards solving the problem of scarcity of labourers in God’s vineyard.