WHEN YOU LABOR IN A HARVEST OF NEED ...

Joan Davenport

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"...the harvest was plenty, and the laborers few, they were to ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." (Lk. 10:1-12; 17-20)

Sunday’s Gospel talks of Jesus appointing seventy-two people, whom He sent in pairs, to all the towns He intended to visit. The task at hand was since “the harvest was plenty, and the laborers few, they were to ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." In the process, Jesus’ instructions were clear: take no money, sacks, or sandals, and don’t greet anyone along the way.  They were to bring peace to each household. Jesus instructs them to come and enter their assigned places and spaces just as they are. Jesus is also aware that He’s sending them out like lambs among wolves, telling the seventy-two that if they are received and welcomed, they are to accept whatever payment they receive. The seventy-two were to bless the household where they stayed by saying, “the kingdom of God is at hand for you”! On the other hand, if they are not well received, they are to make known the consequences, dust off their feet, and leave. Also, in the commissioning, Jesus gives the seventy-two the power and authority to heal and cure the sick, and trample snakes and scorpions.

Reflecting when I first felt called, commissioned, or, at a time when I thought I was sent forth to serve the people of God, I’d have to go back at least 40 years!

It was a summer Saturday, and my father and I were the only ones home. While looking out of the window, my eyes looked up and focused on the heavens, I heard my name being called. When I heard it the third time, I was reminded of Samuel hearing his name called, and he thought it was Eli, but it wasn’t; it was God.

When I reflect on Luke’s Gospel, I think of the ways we may be called and how sometimes, yes, we may be sent out in pairs, but also, it may be just you and Jesus. We are called and commissioned to be a different kind of laborer, because we’ve been given a different type of assignment, for a different kind of harvest.

When I think back on an early Tuesday morning on March 4, I received a message that a friend and her brother had decided they were going to unplug all the things that were keeping their mother alive. On that day, someone I knew was going to die.  Someone I knew was going to be promoted to glory!

Immediately, something went through me, and I felt an intense need to pray with her mother. I called the daughter to see if her mother was still alive.  When her daughter said “yes,” I told her it was on my heart to pray with her mother and ask if it was okay.  Not knowing the family’s religious practices, the daughter said “okay” and put the phone to her mother’s ear.  Without any hesitation, I opened my mouth and the words flowed.  When I was finished, I asked if I could sing the song that had been placed on my heart, and again, the daughter said “yes.” The name of the song was “I bid you goodnight”. An hour later, she said goodnight and went into an eternal sleep; she was forever healed and eternally cured! At the funeral, the daughter thanked me for being right on time. Her mother passed on March 4^th, the only date on the calendar that gives a direction; March Forth!

So, you see, sometimes, there are those who need you or me and Jesus himself. And in that lies the Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! In this instance, that harvest (the person’s) kingdom of God was at their hand.

Reaping and witnessing the abundance of many a harvest season is sometimes in experiencing the love of Jesus, right where we’re planted.  

May the God of grace and mercy continue to call on you when He needs His new boots on the ground.

Author: Joan Davenport, Member of St Thomas Aquinas Church, Flatlands, Brooklyn. She is a Lector and motivational speaker.

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