Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
God’s strength is seen best in our weakness. That is the underlying theme of the Scriptures this week. It also happens to be the underlying theme of the Christian faith!
Today we hear that message in the twin realities of God choosing a weak and insignificant people—the Israelites—to be his chosen people, and God choosing me (and you) to be his beloved son (or daughter) despite my insignificance and weakness.
In today’s gospel, Jesus uses two agricultural images to speak of this relationship of God to us: shepherds and harvest laborers. God sent the shepherd, Jesus, to his chosen people and is himself the master of the harvest who chooses laborers. There is so much to be done. But more importantly, there is so much fruitfulness that needs to be nurtured and brought out. We are not only sheep needing a leader; we have gifts that need tapping and directing.
Who can do this work for Christ? Most of us would probably say, “Oh, I’m not qualified; I’m not trained to lead and guide and direct others; I can hardly take care of myself. Look elsewhere, Jesus, for your shepherds and harvest workers.” No doubt the men Jesus chose as his first 12 apostles thought the same thing. None of them was educated and trained for ministry when Jesus called them. But he chose them and sent them out right away, not because he recognized their competence and education, but because they were willing to be instruments of Jesus’ shepherding and harvesting.
To be a good parent or teacher means to be a good shepherd and harvest worker for Jesus. But which parents are ready or trained for the responsibility of raising children when they get married? We must trust the one who calls us to this work of shepherding—just as the apostles trusted that Jesus’s power would enable them to preach his word and heal and show his love.
Reflection by Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections