Matthew 9:32-37 Ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest

The Harvest, Painting by Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), Painted in June 1888, Oil on canvas © Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Gospel Reading

A man was brought to Jesus, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said. But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.’ Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. 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 labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’

Reflection on the painting

Vincent van Gogh's "The Harvest," is a captivating portrayal of rural life infused with the artist's characteristic passion, colour and intensity. Completed in June 1888 during van Gogh's prolific period in Arles, France, the painting captures the essence of the agricultural landscape with typical expressive brushwork. We see a group of labourers toiling in the fields under the radiant glow of the sun and against a backdrop of rolling hills and a vast expanse of sky. The painting shows the plain of La Crau, outside Arles, with, in the distance, the Alpilles mountain range. Van Gogh completed ten paintings and five drawings in just over a week at this point, until a heavy storm brought the harvest season to an end. A week after he painted this painting, the landscape was completely different: all harvested - the golden yellows of the wheat replaced by the brown textures of the soil. In our Gospel reading today, we read that, while God's power was evident through Jesus' labours, he recognised the importance of having additional labourers join him in the work. Hence, he urges his disciples to "ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest." This call entails both active participation in the labour and fervent prayer for more workers beyond themselves. While traditionally interpreted as a call to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, we now understand it as a broader invitation from Jesus. The risen Lord requires a diverse array of labourers to work in God's harvest today. Each disciple, regardless of his or her vocation, is indispensable, and all baptized individuals are summoned to contribute their efforts. The harvest remains plentiful, necessitating a full and varied workforce. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that Jesus' mission of proclaiming God's kingdom, both in word and deed, remains vibrant and relevant today. We are all called to be co-workers with the Lord.

by Father Patrick van der Vorst