11TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A
WHY PRAY?
Matthew 9:36—10:8
MESSAGE
It is common to hear from people complain about their priests: “There is always no priest available; they are always out.” “Our priest is not a good administrator; just look at how disorderly our church has become.” “Why are young priests becoming so materialistic?” And yet, there are also silent, heroic priests serving the poorest, fighting for justice, getting killed by Islamists in conflict areas, and dying quietly in simplicity…
For all our legitimate concerns about our pastors, the Lord Jesus has this to say: Ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers… Pray the Master to send more laborers. The first solution, definitely not the only one nor the last, that Jesus proposes is prayer. Why?
When we pray for our leaders in the church, priests and lay leaders together, the Lord touches their hearts and awakens in them his own sentiment of love for his people. “Jesus’ heart was moved with pity.” St. John Paul II called this pastoral charity, the same love the Lord has for his people he instills in our pastors and leaders.
Then when we pray for our pastors and leaders, we also realize what we can do to help save the situation. It is not enough to complain. It is not enough to demand. We also need to contribute because leadership is not easy and we all need to lend a helping hand. Jesus’ heart touches our hearts, too, to get involved in our own little way to lighten the burdens of those who lead us.
Leadership, in all sectors of society, is a difficult undertaking. Most leaders feel lonely and enervated as they give of themselves without support and encouragement. There are many temptations to greed, pride, and control felt by those who serve as leaders. After all, leaders are people, too. Like everyone else, they need the transforming power of prayer.
REFLECT
Confronted with the weaknesses of our church leaders and servants, how do you react? With dismay and disappointment? With anger and viciousness? Or with an urgent prayer for their holiness and for our own call to join them in their mission?
