PHOTO:Hamilton CA Habitiat for Humanity
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is rich but the laborers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to his harvest.
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8
Jesus was moved by the people he saw. He needed help to address their needs, but looking around he wondered,”Where is everybody?” His disciples received the commission: Give freely what you have been given. There is a hurting world out there. Heal it. Change it.
With global communication today, we are excruciatingly aware of suffering around the world as well as at home. In addition to truly noteworthy news, as soon as we turn on our computers we are bombarded with stories-just a click away-about a movie star’s speeding ticket, who wore what on the red carpet, and healthy food choices at the mall.
PHOTO:Philanthromedia.org
Who wouldn’t be overwhelmed? Easier to stay home cocooned in one’s close circle of family and friends and let the world fend for itself. We have enough problems of our own. After all, what difference can one person make?
Jesus had other ideas. In his case, one person made all the difference, and he promised that he dwells within each of us. That indwelling makes our actions more necessary and more powerful. In today’s first reading, Isaiah tells us that in the midst of suffering, our teacher reveals himself. “…Whether you turn to right or left, your ears will hear these words behind you, This is the way, follow it.”
During Advent we look within ourselves. There we must see the Divine Presence that became flesh and walked with us. We wait during this season, not only to celebrate what WAS, but also WHAT IS and WHAT WILL BE. We listen for the words, “This is the way,” and pray for the wisdom and courage to follow it.
In todays Liturgy of the Hours afternoon reading we hear: “As the earth makes fresh things grow, as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the Lord make both integrity and praise spring up in the sight of the nations.” Isaiah 61:11
PHOTO:Dominicans for Peace Tacoma
Where is integrity? Leaders who are looking out for the poor? Tax breaks for millionaires? Cut backs in programs that provide for the most vulnerable? Stalling on nuclear arms treaties?
We can lament: Where are leaders with backbones to stand up to special interests or to say the dreaded words, New Taxes? We can lay the blame at the feet of others, but in this country, if leaders felt strong support from the electorate on such issues, they might be more likely to stand up for programs and legislation that can make a difference on a national and world level.
What we do, where we put out time and money, how we vote, how we serve, does make a difference. We make change little at a time, person to person. And those changes add up and send a message to all: We are charged to give freely what has been freely given to us.
Madeleine L’Engle called the incarnation the “Glorious Impossible.” The continued incarnation that will transform the world is also a glorious impossible: Difficult to believe, but true.
Advent reminds us that we are, indeed, part of the Glorious Impossible. When Jesus looks around for laborers, he will see us.
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