“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few...” (Matthew 9:37.)
Saint Jerome offers the following insight on this verse from today’s Gospel Proclamation:
“An abundant harvest signified the multitude of people. The few laborers signified the dearth of teachers. He commands them to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. These are the laborers of whom the psalmist speaks: “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” And that I may speak in broader terms: an abundant harvest represents all the believing multitude. The few laborers imply the apostles and their imitators who are sent to the harvest.” (Commentary on Matthew)
Collect
O God,
Who sent Your Only Begotten Son into this world
to free the human race
from its ancient enslavement,
bestow on those who devoutly await Him
the grace of Your compassion from on high,
that we may attain the prize of true freedom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Who sent Your Only Begotten Son into this world
to free the human race
from its ancient enslavement,
bestow on those who devoutly await Him
the grace of Your compassion from on high,
that we may attain the prize of true freedom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
