“The Harvest is Abundant… but the Laborers are Few!”
(Luke 10:2)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
In today’s Gospel passage, we witness Jesus appointing seventy-two disciples and sending them out two by two for His mission. This reminds us clearly that the mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God is not a personal endeavor but a shared responsibility—a community mission that involves each of us.
The Harvest is Abundant; the Laborers are Few
Through these words, Jesus reveals the vastness of the work required in the mission of God. The harvest is indeed plentiful, but there are few who are willing to commit themselves fully with dedication and zeal.
All of us who are baptized have a sacred duty to witness to Jesus Christ from our early years—but how many of us continue that mission with true passion and commitment?
Today’s reading calls us to reflect on that.
In our current society, we see many inequalities and injustices.
Recently, the tragic news of Rithanya, a young bride who took her life just 78 days into marriage due to dowry-related harassment, continues to echo in our ears.
Similarly, Ajith Kumar, who died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody, remains a painful memory of injustice and cruelty.
We are called to live in a society that should share love, mercy, and forgiveness. Sadly, many people around us fail to embody this spirit.
It is in such a context that Jesus’ words—“The harvest is abundant; the laborers are few…”—take on a powerful and deeply relevant meaning for us today.
To everyone involved in the mission of building the Kingdom of God, Jesus offers a serious warning:
“I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”
This is no simple or easy mission. The journey is filled with obstacles, criticisms, and opposition.
Jesus Himself is the prime example—if everyone had accepted His message, His crucifixion wouldn’t have happened.
We are called, like the seventy-two, to be courageous witnesses of God’s love and justice, even in the midst of hostile environments.
Engaging in the mission of God is not easy today—but even more dangerous is becoming an obstacle to that mission.
So, what does Jesus teach us? To go forth and always share peace wherever we go.
He says: “Peace be to this house!”
Peace should be the first gift we bring to every place.
We are to be peacemakers—not just in word, but in action and lifestyle. This should be the foundation of our missionary calling.
Many times, unexpected joy comes from this mission.
In today’s Gospel, we see the seventy-two disciples return joyfully, saying:
“Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!”
But Jesus gently corrects their focus:
“Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
More than power, fame, position, or recognition, our true joy must be that our names are written in heaven because of our faithfulness in God’s mission.
Let us then reflect on Jesus’ words:
“The harvest is abundant… but the laborers are few.”
Let us respond to His call, prepare ourselves for the harvest, and walk forward in faith and wisdom—making a difference through our lives.
With love in Christ,
Fr. J. Sahaya Raj
Diocese of Tiruchirapalli
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