We can only wonder at what was going on among the people that made Jesus so troubled when he looked at them. We are told that what he saw was a people who were harassed and dejected. Perhaps they were overcome with the burdens of living; perhaps the social environment was making certain aspects of life unbearable; perhaps they seemed to be moving along in an aimless sort of way. What is certain, however, is that Jesus felt something for them right in his heart. He felt compassion. It is the sort of reaction that goes beyond simply analysing the situation. He is concerned for them and their welfare, and he wants what is good for them. Of course, he has analysed the situation to some extent. When he says that they are like sheep without a shepherd he is making a judgement that the leaders in the society have been negligent or lacking in imagination in dealing with the situation of these people. A modern word that we would sometimes use for this is to say that they were clueless. Jesus clearly wants to lay the blame for some part of the people’s dejection at the feet of the leaders. But this is still a problem for all the people. Sometimes leaders are only as good as they are allowed to be.
This is why Jesus calls on all the people to pray, and he tells them what to say in their prayer. The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest. Like all good prayers this one begins by acknowledging the reality of the situation before it petitions God. The situation is that the harvest is ripe. In other words, the time is ripe for something to happen. In speaking of the harvest in this way Jesus seems to be suggesting that among this people who are harassed and dejected there is a lot of good will, ability and eagerness to do good – it simply needs to be given the opportunity to come to life. So in acknowledging the situation this prayer also praises God for the blessings he has given to the people.
One of the effects of their prayer is that they will come to see their own situation a little more clearly. Not only will they recognise their troubles, but they will also see the resources that exist among themselves to deal with these. In fact, we see the prayer beginning to be answered when Jesus chooses some of the disciples and sends them out. Jesus has found among this people some who are able to be shepherds. He sends them out on a small mission, just among the local people. He speaks to them about what they are to do. When you look at the list – heal the lepers, cure the sick, raise the dead – it is all about bringing healing and wholeness to people. It is about restoring their hope. The Apostles are to help the people move out of that harassed and dejected state and move on with confidence in their life. People will begin to look forwards rather than backwards, where they would wallow in self-pity.
As we reflect on this gospel story there are a few lessons we can draw from it. The first is that we always need people who will throw light on our situation. Jesus behaved like a prophet by helping the people realise that they were harassed and dejected. It is quite common in our world to meet people who tell you that things are not quite right for them, yet they don’t know what is wrong in their lives. The prophet figure is the one who shines a light on our lives so that we can see them more clearly. The prophet figure is the one who holds up a mirror to us so that we can see ourselves as we really are. So, we need in our midst the prophet figure – the one who will feel compassion for us, and who has our best interests at heart. We also need people who can be shepherds or leaders. These are the people who can help us move forward to a different place, to a positive place where we can be filled with hope in what God has promised. These are the people who have dreams and a vision, and who can imagine how God’s plan can take shape concretely in our own situation.
The second lesson we can draw from the gospel story is that the prophets, the shepherds and leaders are going to be found among us, in our own communities. They need to be recognised and called forth – just as Jesus sent the Apostles. The third lesson is related to this one, and it is that we need to pray to God that these labourers will be found among us. An important thing that happens when we pray is that we begin to discern our needs as we present them to God, and we also begin to recognise what sort of people we need as prophets and shepherds at this time. Then they can be called and sent forth. Praying for labourers in the harvest may also have the result that we will allow these prophets and leaders to work among us, rather than challenge their authority.
As we reflect on these possibilities, I wonder if it would help to see World Youth Day next month as a time when we might see that the harvest is indeed rich, that there is a lot of talent among our young people, and that they themselves might be trained and graced to become the next generation of prophets and leaders among us.
Fr. Gerard Kelly
