Sheep Without a Shepherd

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him Matthew 9:35 – 10:4 

Today I am in Fairbanks at an Interior Deanery worship leader training event. There are 25 people here learning to lead their communities and villages in worship. There are many years places where a priest is an infrequent visitor. Some have felt like a sheep without a shepherd. They are being empowered as the disciples were. What a joy to be a part of it!

Jesus is overwhelmed by the lack of leadership and care for the people. He empowers his disciples to be his heart and hands in the world. Likewise, God invites us to step up and offering ourselves in our communities. There is so much need in our very day.

Today,  I ask God to help me see the need and offer myself to rEsmond to that need. May we all have the courage to step forward to be empowered by God's love.