Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9, 36; 10, 8

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them 
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Then he summoned his twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits
to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.
The names of the twelve apostles are these:
first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus,
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

God chose you

1) Troubled and abandoned. Life is about more than just work. It’s important to make room for the things that give you joy, purpose, and motivation. Doing something only because you have to can make life feel like it’s being lived by someone else’s rules. But you’re truly free when you spend time on what genuinely motivates you and that you actually enjoy. For one person, that may be playing soccer; for another, fishing; and for someone else, something as simple as having a cup of coffee or reading a book. Each person is different, and each one needs a space that feels meaningful. Finding that passion takes time, which is why many people avoid the search and throw themselves completely into work instead. But when you discover what makes life worth living, even in small ways, it adds depth and meaning to your daily routine. Without that balance, it’s easy to become consumed by work, shut yourself off from the world, and grow bitter. Little by little, routine can turn you into a prisoner of your own life.

2) The harvest is abundant. Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by all the problems you have to solve or by the goals you are trying to reach. Thinking too far ahead—about next month or next year—can make today feel heavier than it really is. For now, focus on what’s in front of you. Today has its own challenges and tomorrow will bring new ones. If today was hard, allow yourself to cry, vent, and acknowledge the pain. Then, when tomorrow comes, stand up and keep going. That’s what it means to live one day at a time. Trust that God will renew your strength each day and resist the temptation to carry everything at once. Problems may often feel greater than we are, but our life is limited, while God is eternal.

3) God chooses whomever He wants. Every month, a youth group visited a nursing home; they spent time with the residents, sang songs, and tried to bring some joy into their day. Among the volunteers was Luis, who attended reluctantly and only because the girl he liked was there. Luis usually stayed in the back and kept his distance. But one day, an elderly man in a wheelchair reached out and grabbed his hand. Feeling uncomfortable, Luis said, “I have to go, but I’ll be back, I promise.” From that moment on, the same scene repeated itself month after month. On the ninth visit, the old man was no longer in his usual place. Luis was told that he was in room 28 and in very poor condition. He went to see him, stayed by his side, and held his hand for an hour. As Luis was leaving, a woman approached him. She was Antonio’s granddaughter. She explained that during a brief moment of clarity, her grandfather had said, “Tell Jesus goodbye for me.” When she replied that he would soon see Jesus anyway, Antonio answered, “I know, sweetheart, but Jesus comes to see me every month and holds my hand.” The nurse then explained to her that the young man was Luis. Tearfully, the granddaughter thanked him and said, “I never pictured Jesus with earrings, hair like that, and tattoos, but I’m sure He’s thrilled they confused you for Him.” That’s how Luis realized that God can use absolutely anyone and can touch hearts even through the person you’d least expect.

Remember something good is on the way.

God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.