WORD: We are called to be laborers in God’s Kingdom to produce abundant harvest.
ORDER: “Go…” (Lk 10:37b)
Reflection:
Our Community Word for July – We are called to be laborers in God’s kingdom to produce abundant harvest,reminds us that there is indeed much to be done to promote the Kingdom of God, and as Christian disciples we are called upon to help in the work of the Gospel. We can turn life’s challenges into opportunities for those who want to know God more and who are hungry for His Word. Even if we feel insignificant, we can be an influential force in the lives of others. God calls us to lead others to Him; all we have to do is speak the truth in love and set a Christ-like example for others. The Community Order for July directs us – “Go…” (Lk 10:3). Therefore, in response to God’s command, let us produce abundant harvest for His greater glory.
The theme for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time is: We produce abundant harvest when we rejoice doing mission work. As His missionaries,Jesus encourages us to spread His gospel wherever we go, sharing His merciful love,peace, and joy. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few, so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest,” (Lk 10:2). Every follower of Jesus should share in His mission to proclaim the good news of Salvation to all. This is both a privilege and a task. We are to give our all in proclaiming Jesus’ message of salvation and to testify to His saving love. In accepting this mission, no matter what the obstacles may be, there is joy in serving in His vineyard, for our promise in expressed in Isaiah 66:14 – “…your heart shall rejoice…the Lord’s power shall be known to His servants.”
On the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the theme is: We produce abundant harvest when we extend love and mercy without discrimination.The gospel can be summed up in one word, love. “And who is our neighbor?” (Lk 10:29b). The unlovable, unjust, arrogant, our persecutors, an enemy – we have to love them all. How do we show love? Not to judge but to understand. To love is not to avoid but to help them, not to ignore but to search out for them, not to criticize but to reconcile with them. Not to feel better than them but to ease their struggles. Love of neighbor demands that we express sympathy and concern. It is not only the desire to help others, but to do something for others with sincerity,without counting the cost. So, we bring the promise of His gospel to the last, the least, and the lost: “The Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds, he spurns not,” (Ps 69:34).
We produce abundant harvest when we live and testify to the Word of God is the theme for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The gospel of Luke about Martha and Mary is a good example of a relationship of heart and hand – a balance between prayers and deeds, combination of words and works. Our prayers must be seen in the way we live our life. It is said “preach what you believe, practice what you preach.” We pray and act, we praise God and we yield good things for Him. Every disciple must not only spend time in loving service, but such must be balanced with prayerful meditation on the word of God and constant reflection on the teachings and examples of Jesus. He tells us: “…. you are anxious and worried about many things,” (Lk 10:41b). This is a reminder that as much as we need to work, we also need to be alone with God, to make both our work and life meaningful and grace-filled. In Psalm 15: 2, 5b, we are given this assurance when we live a spiritual life: “The one who walks blamelessly and does justice, who thinks the truth in his heart, shall never be disturbed.”
The theme for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time is: We produce abundant harvest when we persevere in prayer. There is no spiritual life to speak of if praying is not our way of life, for prayer is essential to live a purposely life. It is our communication life-line to God. Our prayer must be persistent,a constant habit, and more importantly, the expression of our love and commitment to God. Jesus asks for only one thing in praying – to have perseverance in prayer. When we pray, we show our complete trust in God, believing and being confident that He will respond to us, in His perfect will and in His perfect time. We are challenged to know what we pray, and believe and live what we pray for. For this, Jesus assures us, “ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; and knock and the door will be opened to you,” (Lk 11:9).
On the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, our theme is: We produce abundant harvest when we share our gifts, talents and resources generously. God loves us not for what we have or for what we possess, but how we live our life and how we use our time, talents and treasures. Jesus in fact warns us that riches and possessions may lead to greed, and reminds those who amass worldly wealth for themselves that they will not be able to bring these anywhere after death – “thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.” (Lk 11:21).We are God’s stewards of His possessions.We are to share what our generous God entrusts tous and it pleases Him when we share what He has given us. In all that we do, let us always remember His promise in Psalm 90:17: “…the Lord our God… prospers the work of our hands.”
Prayer:
Dear Lord of the Harvest, continue to inspire us to be humble and willing laborers in Your vineyard. Grant us the grace to be truly part of Your mission to spread the gospel of love and build your Kingdom on earth. Give us the joy in our hearts as we minister to the poor, testify to your word, persevere in our prayers and share our blessings with those who are in want. Amen.
