Homily for the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church

In this morning's Gospel passage, St. Luke tells how Jesus sent out a large group of His disciples — seventy-two, to be exact — and told them to "ask the master of the harvest to send out more laborers for his harvest."

 

In its many and varied forms, the LORD'S work cannot be done by one person or even a small group of people; it requires a large number of laborers. Since the harvest is abundant and wide-ranging, the more workers, the better. This is an important message for bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and the lay faithful of the Church. Many people are needed to take responsibility for the life of the Church, the work of the LORD.

 

In sending out His disciples ahead of Him, Jesus drew attention to the many difficulties, challenges, and rejections that they would face. He anticipated that some towns would not welcome them, but whether people welcomed them or not, the disciples were to proclaim: "The kingdom of God is at hand for you."

 

Indeed, the LORD is present to all people, whether they receive Him or not. Jesus continues to work in and through those who are ready to be His laborers. We are always in the presence of God's kingdom, God's rule, among us; there is no getting away from it. The issue is how we respond to that presence and the call to share that presence with others. +