…The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.  – Matthew 9:38

Dear Friends,

Growing up, my mom often told me that the Bible had an answer to every question. Being the cynic, I thought “That’s impossible!” I was certain, in my know-it-all teenage mind, that there was no way that a book that was written many hundreds of years ago could possibly be able to answer the questions that the modern world would ask. And now, if only I could go back in time and speak with the younger me, I would say “Just wait, you’ll see.”

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we won’t learn how to combat police brutality or the prejudices that seem rampant today, nor will we learn how to deal with living with the isolation caused by a society plagued with COVID-19. What we will learn is a much greater lesson. Here, we find Jesus teaches us compassion. 

Visiting cities and villages across the entire Galilean region, Jesus realizes two things. First, he finds the multitudes, hungry, hurting, and sick, the “sheep having no shepherd.” He realizes there are so many in need of the good news he is sharing, he declares, “the harvest truly is plenteous.” The second thing he realizes is, because there are so many who need, and want, to learn about the Kingdom of God, he needs help, for the “labourers are few.” He brings together his motley crew of 12 and gives them the authority and responsibility to go out into the lands and do all of the things that he has been doing. Feed the hungry, heal the sick, shepherd the lost, preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. How exciting and what an opportunity!

This is a lesson that we can relate to in this modern world we are living in. Being compassionate is the answer to the modern question: How do we deal with what is going on in our lives today? It seems so simple, doesn’t it? Be compassionate.

Jesus tells us labourers are in need, and we find this true still today. Studying this lesson gives us the opportunity to reflect on how we are being the labourers that Jesus calls us to be. Our life in Epiphany offers so many opportunities to be the labourers, there’s surely a perfect fit for everyone. Both Outreach and Parish Life are looking for labourers who will tend to those needing healing and shepherding those who are lost.

This Saturday, come out to Epiphany for a great opportunity to serve between 8 AM to noon at Parish Workday. Help Epiphany paint our building, both inside and out, using safe social distance. On Sunday, following worship, the Outreach Ministry will meet at 11:30 AM on Zoom. Join the meeting to find out how you can participate in our many outreach programs. Continue to check the weekly eNews for opportunities where you can be a labourer for Jesus.

If you haven’t yet viewed the Celtic service from this past Sunday, I would highly recommend it. In a very timely message for Epiphany, Sarah Brockenbrough, our diocesan Minister of Transition offers a message about transition that we can relate to. Tune in online this Sunday at 10 AM for our worship service on YouTube, as Reverend Elizabeth Keeler joins us again in celebrating the Second Sunday after Pentecost.

Our life with Epiphany is well and it is strong. We are the labourers that Jesus calls us to be.

Peace to all, 

Susan Buckner
Senior Warden
srwarden@epiphanyec.org