Universal Utterings®
for July 8, 2024

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07-08-2024 Matthew 9 V-3538 Few laborers for abundant harvest

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The Book of Matthew 9 v- 35 thru 38

35 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. 36 At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Matthew 9:35-38 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting His compassion for the multitudes and His call for more workers to join in the mission. These verses provide a profound insight into Jesus' heart and the urgency of His work.

In verse 35, we see Jesus traveling through cities and villages, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and affliction. This verse encapsulates the extensiveness of Jesus' ministry, emphasizing His commitment to reach as many people as possible with His message of hope and healing. His actions demonstrate the holistic nature of His mission, addressing both spiritual and physical needs.

Verse 36 reveals Jesus' deep compassion for the crowds. He sees them as "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This metaphor underscores their vulnerability and need for guidance, care, and protection. Jesus' response to their plight is not just one of pity but of profound empathy and a desire to bring them into the safety of His fold.

In verses 37 and 38, Jesus turns to His disciples and makes a crucial statement about the urgency of the mission. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few," He says. The harvest represents the many people ready to receive the message of the kingdom, but the scarcity of workers indicates a need for more individuals committed to spreading this message. Jesus instructs His disciples to pray earnestly to the "Lord of the harvest" to send out more laborers into His harvest.

These verses challenge believers to recognize the vast opportunities for ministry and the necessity of responding to God's call. They remind us of the importance of compassion in our work and the need for more dedicated workers to join in the mission of sharing the gospel and bringing healing to a broken world.

As modern-day disciples, we are called to be the laborers in the harvest that Jesus speaks of in today’s Gospel. Our mission is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, and a central aspect of this mission is proclaiming the profound mystery of His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity present in the Eucharist. This sacred truth is not just a doctrine to be learned but a living reality to be experienced and shared.

In the Eucharist, Jesus offers Himself as real food and real drink, nourishing us spiritually and drawing us into a deeper union with Him. When we partake in the Eucharist, we are participating in the sacrifice of Jesus, who gives Himself entirely for our redemption. This participation transforms us, making us more like Him and equipping us to be His witnesses in the world.

Spreading the Good News of the Eucharist is a pilgrimage in itself—a journey that entails both personal transformation and active evangelization. Here are several ways this pilgrimage manifests:

1. Personal Encounter and Transformation: Our journey begins with our own encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. By receiving Him with faith and reverence, we allow His presence to transform us from within. This transformation is essential because it fuels our mission and gives authenticity to our witness.

2. Proclaiming the Mystery: We are called to share the profound mystery of the Eucharist with others. This involves teaching about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and helping others to understand and appreciate this central tenet of our faith. Through catechesis, testimonies, and personal conversations, we can help others to encounter Jesus in this sacrament.

3. Living the Eucharist: Our lives should reflect the self-giving love of Jesus that we receive in the Eucharist. Acts of charity, service, and compassion are ways we can embody the Eucharistic life. By living out the love we receive, we become signs of Jesus’ presence in the world.

4. Inviting Others to the Table: Part of our mission is to invite others to the Eucharistic celebration. This could mean inviting someone to Mass, encouraging a friend or family member to return to the sacraments, or helping someone to prepare for their first Holy Communion. The invitation extends beyond mere attendance; it is an invitation to a deeper relationship with Jesus.

5. Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer: Eucharistic adoration is a powerful practice that deepens our love for Jesus and strengthens our commitment to living Redeemed. Encourage others to attend Eucharistic Adoration as real marriage therapy like my wife and I do each week. Allow Jesus to speak to you in the depths of your soul and find your real pilgrimage of sharing His Body and Blood as the nourishment our mind, body and soul needs to overcome the excess of the world and promote goodwill. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

07-08-2024 Matthew 9 V-3538

**Few laborers for abundant harvest**

In the fields where shadows play,

Walked the Savior in the light of day.

Through the towns and villages, He’d start,

Healing the sick as mercy He’d impart.

He saw the crowds, weary and torn,

Like sheep without a shepherd, forlorn.

Compassion stirred within His heart,

To heal their wounds, make whole each part.

"The harvest plentiful," He said,

"But laborers, few, to break the bread.

Pray then to the Lord above,

To send out workers, filled with love."

With hands that heal and words that soothe,

He called for hearts, in Spirit's truth.

To gather in the golden grain,

And ease the world of sorrow's pain.

So in the fields where shadows play,

We walk as lights to guide the way.

Sent by Him, with hearts aflame,

To bear His love, in Jesus' name. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

July 8, 2024 @ 05:59 AM EST

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