Jesus Sends Out Laborers into the Harvest

Text: Matthew 9:35-10:4

Reflection and Question: Both Matthew and Luke (10:2) report this saying of Jesus’ that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” This verse is repeated at every Presbyterian service of ordination — and every time it challenges our church policy of denying ordination to GLBT members who are called to ordained service. Who are we to tell God exactly what kind of laborers we want?

Prayer: God of all harvests, we pray that You send out laborers into Your harvest. We thank you for the twelve in Matthew and the seventy in Luke whose witness echoed down the ages until we were invited to believe. May we embrace those You call. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).