SPEAKER_00: There's one sentence in today's first reading that ought to make everyone stop and think.
SPEAKER_00: It says, They sow the wind and they shall reap the whirlwind.
SPEAKER_00: It's one of the great spiritual laws of scripture.
SPEAKER_00: You always harvest more than you plant.
SPEAKER_00: Plant a small seed of kindness, and you'll see over time it becomes a life of charity.
SPEAKER_00: Plant a small habit of prayer, it eventually becomes intimacy with God.
SPEAKER_00: But the opposite is also true.
SPEAKER_00: Plant a small compromise and it will grow.
SPEAKER_00: Plant a little bit pride, a little greed, a little resentment, and eventually those little sins become powerful habits that begin to shape your life.
SPEAKER_00: No one wakes up one morning and suddenly abandons God.
SPEAKER_00: It happens one small decision at a time.
SPEAKER_00: That's exactly what Hosea is describing.
SPEAKER_00: The people did not reject God overnight.
SPEAKER_00: They slowly replaced him.
SPEAKER_00: They made kings without consulting God.
SPEAKER_00: They trusted politics more than providence.
SPEAKER_00: They trusted wealth more than worship.
SPEAKER_00: They even took their own silver and gold and fashioned idols with their own hands.
SPEAKER_00: Think about how absurd that is.
SPEAKER_00: They made something, and they bowed down before what they made.
SPEAKER_00: We smile because it sounds ridiculous until we realize we still do the same exact thing.
SPEAKER_00: We create our careers, we build our businesses, we accumulate money and things, we gain influence, we chase comfort.
SPEAKER_00: Again, none of those things are bad in itself, but they become idols the moment we begin expecting them to give us what only God can give.
SPEAKER_00: Our identity, our security, our peace, our purpose.
SPEAKER_00: An idol is not simply a false God.
SPEAKER_00: An idol is anything you place in the center of your life instead of placing God at the center.
SPEAKER_00: That's why every examination of conscience should begin with one simple question.
SPEAKER_00: What's occupying my thoughts more than God?
SPEAKER_00: Because whatever captures your heart eventually directs your life.
SPEAKER_00: Then if we turn to the gospel, there's a beautiful contrast.
SPEAKER_00: Jesus looks out at the crowds, he does not see interruptions, he does not see burdens, he sees people, flesh and bone.
SPEAKER_00: Saint Matthew says, his heart was moved with pity.
SPEAKER_00: That phrase is much stronger in the original Greek.
SPEAKER_00: It means he was moved to his the very depths of his soul.
SPEAKER_00: His heart ached.
SPEAKER_00: Why?
SPEAKER_00: Well, because they were troubled and abandoned like sheep without a shepherd.
SPEAKER_00: We've covered this image before.
SPEAKER_00: It's so strong.
SPEAKER_00: We need a good reminder again.
SPEAKER_00: Why?
SPEAKER_00: Because this image is still true today.
SPEAKER_00: There are many successful people who are spiritually abandoned, many educated people who have never been taught the faith, countless people who are profoundly lonely, many people whose lives look perfect on the outside, perfect on social media, but are quietly starving for God.
SPEAKER_00: The solution Jesus gives us is interesting.
SPEAKER_00: He does not first tell the disciples to work harder, he tells them to pray.
SPEAKER_00: He says, Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers.
SPEAKER_00: Why?
SPEAKER_00: Well, because the church has never been about a saved by programs.
SPEAKER_00: She's always been renewed by holy people, by holy witnesses, testimonies.
SPEAKER_00: One saint changes a family.
SPEAKER_00: One holy priest changes a parish.
SPEAKER_00: One faithful husband changes a home and a society.
SPEAKER_00: One faithful wife changes generations forever.
SPEAKER_00: One young person on fire for Christ can transform an entire campus.
SPEAKER_00: God changes the world one soul at a time.
SPEAKER_00: So two questions for you today.
SPEAKER_00: First, what am I sowing every day?
SPEAKER_00: Because that is exactly what I will one day harvest.
SPEAKER_00: And second, am I simply part of the crowd?
SPEAKER_00: Or am I willing to become that one labor who can make a difference?
SPEAKER_00: The harvest is still abundant.
SPEAKER_00: The world is very much hungry for the truth.
SPEAKER_00: Christ is still looking out for men and women whose hearts belong entirely to him, so that he can send them out into the harvest, into the vineyard, to bring about peace and love with their witness and their testimony that can bring others to know Jesus.
SPEAKER_00: Amen.