Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 9: 35 — 10: 1, 5a, 6-8
December6, 2025 | Saturday

Today’s Gospel

Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.”

Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town.

Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give.

Today’s Reflection

The Gospel passage tells us why the Gospel message has stood the test of time and remains as relevant as ever. This reason concerns how Jesus formed and commissioned his disciples. Three points here are particularly instructive.

First, the disciples witness firsthand how Jesus is moved with compassion at the sight of the “harassed and the helpless,” or those who cannot defend themselves in the face of oppression and marginalization. Jesus then encourages his disciples to shepherd these poor and oppressed people, whom he compares with an abundant harvest in need of workers.

Moreover, Jesus gives them authority; that is, he shares his power with them over the unclean spirits and his ability to heal those who are sick. Lastly, Jesus sends them out on an achievable mission vis-à-vis their capacity; they must first go to Jewish territories since they are not yet well-equipped to deal with the challenges in Samaritan towns and pagan territories. In these Jewish territories, they are to focus on the lost sheep of the house of Israel—a missionary engagement that will later prepare them to

venture into foreign missions.

Similarly, we should also ensure that our youth—the future of the Church—are genuinely motivated to serve the people, especially those on the margins of society. In the words of Pope Francis, we should

show the young ones in the Church that priesthood or any other kind of ministry “is not a career; it is a service.” Furthermore, we should work with them in a synodal fashion; we should listen and journey with them as collaborators, not as subordinates. Finally, we should give them doable tasks. In this way, they become gradually prepared to take on more challenging work. By doing these, we shall ensure that the Gospel is proclaimed far and wide “until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).

/Vulnerasti, 2025