Why trouble?

United.

32 As they were going out,[a] a demoniac who could not speak was brought to him, 33 and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” 34 [b]But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
35 [c]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,[d] like sheep without a shepherd. 37 [e]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.”-Matthew9:32-38

Troubled and abandoned. If the crowds during Jesus' time felt troubled and abandoned, these feelings are still here with us at present. Some think that science and God cannot be united. Some think that philosophy and God cannot be united. Some think that governance and God cannot be united. But the truth is, it can! Where did science come from? From God's creation. Without God's creation, there won't be science anyway. Where did philosophy come from? From a single curiosity and the need for an answer. And this curiosity still came from God who blessed us with a brain packed with knowledge and wisdom far superior than the animals. Where did governance come from? Order! And this came from God who can make crooked lines straight. Can't we see it? Everything and everyone lives, revolves and is rooted in God. Why are we making things complicated? Why do we trouble ourselves when all along the answer is before us?

Image courtesy: dreamstime

Super rich harvest

The harvest is much more plentiful!

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’-Luke10:1-9

Jesus is the Lord of the Harvest, the Master of Vocations. He chooses people for the Religious and Clergy, for Single-Blessedness or for Married Life. Sometimes we wonder why others are single, why others are married, why others enter the religious life or clergy. Such is life! We are brought by the Holy Spirit to where we should be.

Mysterious still is the way He chose His disciples and followers. A fisherman? A zealot? A tax collector? Loud and bold brothers? A prostitute? A would-be betrayer? A persecutor and murderer? Not really the cream of the crop, but that's the way of Jesus - mysterious, hidden, passive, full of surprises. Notice that during His passion and at the final moment of His life, He never rejected anybody nor condemned them. If so, who are we also to condemn or reject anybody just because of their background or sinfulness? Is their limit to our capacity to forgive?

Photo by: unknown artist and kaptainmyke (Cream of the Crop Vintage)