GOD’S WORD

14th Week in Ordinary Time Ps 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b & 15 1st Reading: Gen 32:23-33 Gospel: Mt 9:32-38 Reflection:

“The harvest is abundant but the workers are few…”

There used to be a common misconception that only priests or religious are called to do the work of evangelization. Lay people who try to actively participate in the life and mission of the Church are playfully referred to as pseudo-priests. Lay preaching is often associated with Protestants and Fundamentalists than with Catholicism. Obviously, we seem to have not really taken to heart what the Second Vatican Council said about evangelization as our common vocation–clergy, religious and laypeople alike. “All share a true equality with regard to the dignity and the activity common to all the faithful for the building up of the Body of Christ.” (Lumen Gentium, 32)

Thus, when Jesus asked his disciples to pray that “the master of the harvest send more laborers to gather his harvest,” the call was not addressed just to a few but to all who are baptized Christians. The laity are expected no longer just to say “amen” and to “pray, pay and obey.” Thankfully, lay people have assumed a more active role in the Church as shown in their participation in various ministries in Church as well as in Basic Ecclesial Communities, renewal movements and covenanted communities. The fidelity and success of the church depends on its members-clergy, religious and lay people alike.