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." Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, "Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. 'Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."
REFLECTION
his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus revealed the love of His Father to the crowd by His Words and actions. Sent by His Father to free us from the tyranny of Satan, Jesus died a cruel death for our sins, He showed us the Truth and made us heirs of eternal life, thereby, giving us hope of the Resurrection of the Body
But many of His sheep are still lost, led astray by their own free will, lust of the body, lust of the eyes and pride. Taking pity on us, He asks for more laborers for His sheep. Priests are good shepherds and through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confession, Holy Orders, Holy Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick many souls are returned to God. PAPA prays for all priests for their continued work, patience, perseverance, courage, strength, fearlessness, meekness and love of God.
We are called to work as well by announcing the "Kingdom of Heaven is at hand", to family, friends, neighbors and strangers. Many times if we don't taste, don't see, don't touch or know, we are like troubled and abandoned sheep unaware of what is out there.
Come and join us. We invite one and all to the upcoming PAPA Advent Retreat,December 12-14, 2025....What Makes You Smile?! So when we ask at the Retreat, "How did you become aware of the Retreat?" We can hear, "Someone invited me."
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