The Harvest Is Ready. Will You Go?
Jesus tells us the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. It’s time to step up, live the Beatitudes, and proclaim the kingdom in how we live, and when necessary, with our words.
Today’s Gospel strikes me every time I hear it:
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Jesus isn’t talking about someone else. He’s talking about us.
We live in a world that is hungry for the good news of the kingdom: that God is love, that we are called to love one another, that mercy and justice and humility matter. A world longing for hope, for meaning, for community, for healing.
And yet Jesus laments that there aren’t enough workers willing to go into the fields. Too many of us think this job belongs to someone else, priests, pastors, religious, or that one friend who’s “really spiritual.” But it’s not just their job. It’s ours.
You are called to be a worker in the vineyard.
You are called to proclaim the kingdom with your life. St. Francis is often quoted (or misquoted) as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” The point is clear: we are to live the Beatitudes, to love God with everything we have, to love our neighbor, to show mercy, to seek justice, to walk humbly, and to let our lives proclaim the kingdom.
And yes, sometimes, it means using words, too.
People around you are hungry for hope. They are looking for examples of love, for people who live differently, for people whose faith is more than opinions shouted online but is a way of life that brings light and peace.
Today, Jesus is asking you to step into the fields, to be a laborer for the kingdom.
Let’s live the Beatitudes. Let’s proclaim the kingdom. Let’s love God with all our heart, mind, and strength and let’s love our neighbors in real, practical, radical ways.
If you’re ready to step into the harvest, start small: call someone who is lonely, share your faith gently when the door opens, volunteer where you can, advocate for those in need, and live your faith boldly. Then, share this reflection with a friend who is ready to join you in proclaiming the kingdom.
Social Justice Round-Up
😊 The Good
Catholics rush to aid Texas flood victims
After historic flash floods devastated the Texas Hill Country, Catholic parishes and ministries swiftly mobilized to provide food, shelter, and financial support to hundreds of displaced families. Catholic Charities of Central Texas has partnered with local parishes to deliver meals and essential supplies while organizing long-term housing solutions for those who have lost everything. Their quick, compassionate response is a testament to living out the Gospel in moments of crisis, offering hope and stability to neighbors in desperate need.
Read more →
😞 The Bad
Scammers target Catholics, impersonate priests and celebrities
A new wave of online scams is exploiting Catholics’ trust by impersonating priests, bishops, and Catholic celebrities to solicit fraudulent donations and personal information. Fake social media profiles and phishing emails are tricking the faithful into giving money to criminals posing as their pastors or even as beloved Catholic media figures. In response, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and other dioceses have launched education campaigns to help parishioners spot scams and protect themselves, reminding the community that safeguarding one another from fraud is a form of living out our call to love and protect our neighbors.
Read more →
😱 The Ugly
Pentagon to support ICE operations amid mass deportation plan
In a stark escalation of immigration enforcement, the Pentagon has dispatched 200 Marines to Alligator Alcatraz to provide support to ICE as it prepares for a wave of mass deportations under expanded directives tied to the “Big Beautiful Bill.” This move raises serious concerns among faith leaders and human rights advocates about the moral and humanitarian implications of using military resources to target vulnerable families and individuals, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for years and are deeply embedded in their communities. It signals a troubling fusion of military power with domestic immigration enforcement, likely to create widespread fear and destabilization across immigrant communities.
Read more →
Homework
Today’s roundup reminds us that the harvest is ready, but the workers are few. We are called not just to watch the news but to live the Gospel in the world around us.
This week, choose one concrete action to be a worker in the vineyard:
– Donate to a trusted relief effort for the Texas flood victims, or volunteer locally.
– Share scam awareness resources with your parish or Catholic friends to protect the vulnerable.
– Speak up for immigrants and refugees in your community, and pray for those facing deportation.
Pray about where you are being sent to bring peace, justice, and mercy. Then go. Live the Beatitudes. Love your neighbor. Proclaim the kingdom, with your life, and if necessary, with your words.