Abundant Harvest!

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Mt 9: 35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

In today’s Gospel, Jesus enlightens us on ‘harvest’ in two aspects.

At first, upon his realization that the labourers are few though the harvest is plentiful, without complaining about or lamenting over the situation, Jesus descends into action to solve it. He sends out his own disciples into the mission field. Though the disciples are literally ‘labourers of the harvest,’ Jesus regards them as friends in mission. He does not treat them as mere disciples without any privilege. Instead, he treats them as his equals by sharing his divine authority with them so they can carry out the ministry and perform miracles just as he does. 

Also, Jesus’ initiative of sending his disciples on mission shows his belief that only in solidarity with the people of goodwill can we carry out the immense task of evangelization. For this reason, Jesus does not view God’s mission as a solo show but makes his disciples partners, thereby enriching it through the effective use of each person’s uniqueness. This is why Jesus’ mission plan never excludes the marginalized or Gentiles. By his action, Jesus shows that we must not make God’s mission suffer from inadequacy or the richness it deserves because of our biased agenda.

Secondly, Jesus underlines what harvesting exactly means. The words of Jesus let us understand that harvesting means to reap souls for God’s Kingdom by curing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and driving out demons. In other words, while harvesting means implementing God’s vision of service to humanity, it also integrates doing good to others in God’s name. Harvesting is the mission of God for the welfare of others. If our mission is not innovative, selfless, and inclusive, it is nothing but a disservice in God’s name. 

In sum, this passage also acts as a corrective, challenging any contradictory notions we may have of harvest. 

Harvest is what we do for God. It is what we do for God’s people. 

Let us pray that we may possess the right mindset about God’s mission and advance the vision.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar