Matthew 9:32-38

Matthew 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,

and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.

The crowds were amazed and said,

“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

But the Pharisees said,

“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

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.

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.

Then he said to his disciples,

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;

so ask the master of the harvest

to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I am willing to be sent by you. I strive to hear your call every day and place all that I am at your service. I will shepherd those in my care and lead them to restful waters. I will work in your vineyard and harvest good fruit for your Kingdom.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Rejection of the New Moses: The ten mighty works of Jesus in Matthew 8-9 recall the ten mighty works the Lord performed through Moses in Egypt. Yet just as Pharaoh hardened his heart against God’s saving power, many of Israel’s leaders hardened their hearts against Jesus. While the crowds marveled at Christ’s authority over disease, demons, sin, and even death, the Pharisees refused to recognize the coming of God’s Kingdom. Rather than glorifying God for inaugurating the long-awaited New Exodus through Jesus, the New Moses, they accused Jesus of casting out demons ‘by the prince of demons’ (Matthew 9:34). Their accusation reveals a tragic spiritual blindness and hardness of heart: the very works that should have led them to faith instead became occasions for unbelief. Just as Pharaoh sought to kill Moses, so also the leaders of Israel would plot to kill Jesus. Just as Moses and the people would be saved by passing through the Sea, so also Jesus would be raised to life through his Baptism on the Cross.

2. Raising Up New Shepherds and Laborers: Jesus does not answer the Pharisees immediately. Instead, Matthew shows Jesus’ response through action. Seeing the crowds, Jesus was “moved with compassion, because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Israel’s leaders had failed in their vocation. Like Pharaoh, they burdened God’s people instead of leading them to flourish in freedom. Later, Jesus will say that they “tie up heavy burdens, hard to carry, and lay them on people’s shoulders” (Matthew 23:4). In contrast, Jesus comes as the Good Shepherd whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Because the harvest is abundant and the laborers are few, he will appoint the Twelve, share his own authority with them, and send them to continue his mission of teaching, healing, and gathering God’s scattered flock.

3. The Harvest is Still Plentiful: There is a beautiful irony at the end of today’s Gospel. Jesus first commands his disciples, “Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). Then, in the very next chapter, those same disciples become the answer to their own prayer. Jesus calls the Twelve by name, shares his own authority with them, and sends them to preach the Kingdom, heal the sick, cleanse lepers, cast out demons, and gather the lost sheep of Israel. Through apostolic succession, Christ continues to entrust this mission to the bishops, priests, and deacons who shepherd and serve his Church in every generation. Yet the harvest is still plentiful, and every baptized Christian has a share in Christ’s mission of leading others to him according to his or her vocation. As we pray for an increase in holy vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life, we should also ask the Lord to make us faithful laborers in his harvest, ready to share the Gospel with compassion, courage, and confidence that he continues to work through those whom he sends.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, teach me to pray as I ought. Bring me to deep contemplation so that I may know you and see how to shepherd your sheep and how to labor in your vineyard. I will strive to imitate you, the Good Shepherd, in all that I do.

Living the Word of God: Jesus does not tell his disciples how to solve the problem of a lack of shepherds, but he tells them to pray. Before anyone can become a shepherd of the Lord’s flock or a laborer in the Lord’s vineyard, they need to be called by the Lord. How can I dedicate time today and this week to “asking the Lord to send out laborers”? Am I ready to hear the Lord’s call?