Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday of 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, Oct. 5th, 2023
Texts: Nehemiah 8:1-4.5-6.7-12; Psalm 19: 8-11; Luke 10:1-12 

Jesus reminds us today that there are many souls to save; there are many souls who are yet to hear the Gospel. Many souls are yet to understand what they hear. Jesus puts it thus: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the  Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” He tells us that there is need for prayer. Prayer will help to get more labourers into the harvest. God hears our cry for His loving care. God’s provision of labourers is the manifestation of His loving care for us. 

Prayer Perpetuates the awareness of the need of labourers in God’s vineyard. Such awareness helps us to hear God when He calls. Lack of awareness of a need is detrimental, for it leads to a suffering with hidden cause. Such a suffering becomes an enigma  and continues to Perpetuate itself. Prayer eliminates such situation. 

Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals

Jesus Christ also reminds us today that we do not need purse, bag or sandal to preach the gospel. In the words  of Jesus: “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road.” We do not need to be rich to preach the gospel. We are not to buy the people’s trust or faith. Faith is not bought. Fighting skills or weapons are not needed to preach the gospel. Our hope is in the protection and security from God.  

We do not need to be powerful and mighty to preach the gospel. We do not impose or force faith on people or else we reap fear. There is no need for influence, fame or authority to preach the gospel. The influence, fame and authority of God’s name are what we need. The acceptance of the gospel will not come by our influence, fame or authority, lest the glory goes to man. People listen to the gospel not because of fame, authority or influence. We are not to greet on the way because preaching the gospel is a serious matter; it demands focus and commitment. 

The word of God is alive and active

We see in today’s first reading that the power to move people to repentance is in the word itself. The word of God is alive and active. We read, “For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.” Like Ezra and Levites our duty is to read the word and give the sense for the people to understand. We read, “And they read from the book, from the law of God, clearly; and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” 

Prayer 

God our Father, we beg you to send labourers into Your harvest for salvation of souls; give Your ministers knowledge and understanding of Your word; give Your people the heart to grasp Your word and act according to it. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke