14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, July 4, 2010

(Isaiah 66:1-14; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-1, 17-20)

Isaiah’s image of an infant nursing at the breast is one of the most comforting
and peaceful metaphors for divine comfort to be found in the entire Bible. The
imagery could apply to Jerusalem or to the Lord, who promises to restore the
prosperity of Jerusalem.
Isaiah is very graphic in his depiction of the scene. In fact he says, as the New
Revised Standard Version properly translates it: “...that you may nurse and be
satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her
glorious bosom.” This translation also clarifies the next verse: “As a mother
comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
It is quite evident that the poet /prophet chooses this image of a mother
comforting a child to convey the sense of peace and well being that the Lord will
bring to the returning exiles from captivity in Babylonia after their release
beginning about 540 BC.
The gospel invites us to reflect on the need for harvesters. The work described
is the work of the Church: to proclaim the Kingdom of God by word and deed. The
produce of the harvest belongs to the Lord. But disciples are the ones who must do
the harvesting. From ancient times everyone, including women, took part in the
harvest. Many wonder today why they’re not included in the harvest work.
Any honest look at the Church today must conclude that the labor force is
available. The first reading is replete with the feminine imagery of divine comfort
that inspired Isaiah to write so eloquently. But as for including women in the
authoritative work of the Lord’s harvest, the Church has remained strangely silent.
In Columbus we recently ordained two priests. More than that retired and/or
will die in the coming months for what will be a net loss. Some things remain a
great mystery.
Jesus cautioned the disciples that they were being sent out like lambs among
wolves. Many women in the Church have felt that way for a long time. Paul’s
words two weeks ago in Galatians are all but ignored: “… neither Jew, nor Greek,
there is neither slave, nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all
one in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus instructs the disciples to “ask (or beg) the master of the harvest to send
out laborers for his harvest.” There is no gender denomination associated with this
instruction. One can certainly pray that one day both women and men will be sent
as laborers since the harvest still belongs to the Lord. It is evident that prayer for
more workers to be sent is part of Jesus’ instruction here which presumes that our
prayers will be effective.
Significantly, at the end of this same section of Luke, Jesus visits Martha and
Mary (gospel for 7/18/10). There Jesus informs Martha, who complains about
Mary’s incipient discipleship, that Mary (who sat and listened at the feet of the
Master) has “chosen the better part.” It is worth much deeper reflection on that
passage when we get there, especially how striking it is that Jesus includes Mary as
a disciple. “Mary has chosen the better part,” says Jesus, “and it will not be taken
from her.”

Fr. Lawrence L. Hummer