Starving for the Truth (SPP)

Homily - Starving for the Truth (SPP)

At the sight of the crowds, 

his heart was moved 

with pity for them

because they were troubled 

and abandoned,

like sheep without a shepherd.

As we listen to these words from the Holy Gospel of Saint Matthew, it is important that we not miss the irony with which they are pregnant...

• And to which the text itself bears witness!

When our Lord uttered these words, the Children of Israel was not experiencing a shortage of tutors!

• In fact, she was replete with religious teachers.

• The ministry of the Pharisees, the Rabbis who sat on the Seat of Moses in the synagogues across the territory of the Jews was flourishing!

• Each Sabbath, the Rabbis of the Pharisees gave instruction in the synagogues throughout the land!

So... how is it that Jesus, our Lord and God, at the sight of the crowds,

... how did it come about that seeing the crowds he was moved with pity for them?

Israel was filled with teachers! 

How then could he say truthfully that they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd?

Here again the Gospel comes to our aid! Saint Matthews tells that the Pharisees — the very Rabbis who taught in the synagogues — when they saw Jesus perform the mighty deeds of God before there very eyes...

• These Rabbis — the witnesses to our Lord’s miracles — accuses him of doing these deeds by the power of Satan!

Thus it happened that although Israel had many teachers, she was starving for the Truth!

Sadly, a parallel situation exists in the Catholic Church today...

When the vast majority of Roman Catholics confess that they no longer believe that in the Holy Eucharist they eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man.

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.”

— — — — — 

Gospel

MT 9:32-38

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,

and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.

The crowds were amazed and said,

“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

But the Pharisees said,

“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,

teaching in their synagogues,

proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,

and curing every disease and illness.

At the sight of the crowds, his 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.”