The images presented to us in this Sunday's scripture readings namely, that of sheep without a shepherd and the dirth of laborers for the harvest are well known scripture themes. In the readings selected for today's liturgy, these passages challenge us to focus on our call and selection as a priestly people, our covenant relationship with God, and our responsibilities as a covenant people.

In the first reading from Exodus, we see the Israelite people who have been wandering in the desert arrive at Mount Sinai. It was there that God called Moses and reminded him of how he had intervened in the lives of the Israelite people by delivering them from the Egyptian people and protecting them during their wandering in the desert. God's love is unconditional but as he invites the Israelites into a covenant relationship, he enjoins on them certain responsibilities: "…if you harken to my voice and keep my covenant …you shall be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation" ( Ex 19:5-6). As a priestly people, the Israelites become God's special people and are called by him to proclaim God's message to the world.

In today's second reading from Paul's letter to the Romans, Paul reminds us that the New Covenant is realized in the fullness of Christ. In fact, Paul tells us that we have been justified through Christ's death for "while we were still helpless ... [he] died at the appointed time for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). In other words, we were not justified because we are special but rather, we are special because we were justified by God while we were still sinners. Paul further emphasizes this concept by stating that "God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

The Gospel reading from Matthew depicts Jesus' overwhelming concern for his followers as well as his sense of urgency in proclaiming the kingdom of God. In this passage we see Jesus, who at this time has traveled throughout most of Galilee proclaiming the good news, now look back and see the crowd that had followed him as well as all those who would follow him in the future. Jesus is very saddened by the plight of the people and expresses great concern for what he sees as an oppressed people without leadership or guidance, "sheep without a shepherd" (Mt (9:36). Scripture writers say that Jesus did not merely feel sorry for the people but rather expressed compassion that came from his deep love for them. Out of this sense of love and concern, Jesus commissions his disciples to bring the good news to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Romans 10:6). The disciples are dispersed to bring to others the gift of faith that had been given to them. There is a sense of urgency in Jesus command as he sends his disciples forth as laborers at the time of harvest for "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few" (Mt 9:37). Moses was Israel's first shepherd; Jesus is the new Moses, the shepherd promised by the prophets and sent to restore the priestly kingdom.

Mary T. Flood, O.P.