Mt 9:32-38
32As [Jesus and his disciples] were going out, a demoniac who could not speak was brought to [Jesus], 33and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” 34But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
35Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. 36At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD: Jesus goes around towns and villages proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom, casting out demons, and healing people. The needs of the crowds call forth his compassion. He sees them as sheep without a shepherd—helpless, troubled, and abandoned. It is true that the people have their leaders in the priests and elders, Pharisees and Sadducees, teachers of the law and officials of the synagogue. But these have not proven to be shepherds after God’s heart, looking after their own interests instead of truly caring for the people.
Jesus is good shepherd to the people, but he also sees the urgent need for workers. Just like a crop of wheat that must be reaped and brought into the barn, God’s people must be gathered and brought into the kingdom. Jesus points out that the workers for the great harvest are few, and he urges his disciples to do something about it. The disciples’ response begins not with vigorous personal effort but with prayer. They must ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers, apostles and evangelizers, for his harvest.
Jesus then shares his mission with the disciples. He empowers the Twelve to drive out unclean spirits and to bring healing to people. When Jesus’ earthly ministry ends, the apostles take on the role of shepherding the people who are hungry for the good news of salvation. Assisted by deacons, they attend to the people’s needs (Acts 6:1-7).