First reading: Ex. 19:2–6a
In those days, the Israelites came to the desert of Sinai and pitched camp. While Israel was encamped here in front of the mountain, Moses went up the mountain to God. Then the LORD called to him and said, “Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.”
Second reading: Rom. 5:6–11
Brothers and sisters: Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Gospel: Mt. 9:36–10:8
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.”
In other words
Fr. Gil Alejandria, SVD (Catholic Trade Community, Manila)
Our Gospel today highlights the need for more “laborers in the vineyard of the Lord.” This would usually remind us of the special calling that priests and religious respond to—to be the laborers in the vineyard. However, we are now experiencing a decline in the number of men and women dedicating themselves to this special call. Now, there is an emphasis on the role of laypeople in doing their share of being laborers in the vineyard. Some would see this as allowing more laypeople to be involved in the sacramental functions of the Church, like becoming lay ministers or deacons. It can also be emphasized that laypeople can be laborers in the vineyard by simply living up to their responsibilities as Christians.
Thus, the Gospel command of proclaiming the Gospel can be fulfilled in our own little ways. As Christians, we can help the poor and those in need. We can volunteer in charity organizations and similar groups that aim to help the underprivileged. Doing acts of charity and mercy like visiting the sick and those in prison, giving consolation to those in grief, and many other acts can be seen as proclaiming the Gospel and being laborers in the vineyard.
By doing these things, we witness to our faith and, hopefully, others will be enlightened and develop their faith in God. As a result, we are helping those who are like lost sheep without a shepherd to find their way to God, the true Shepherd of us all.