Harvest Time?

In today's Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus says to his disciples (and to us): "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

How fitting that this is today's reading! Because, you see, I about to embark on a new adventure. For the next two weeks I will be attending the Summer Institute of the National Religious Vocation Conference, conveniently located in Chicago. In my own head, I call this "Vocation Director School."  I joined our CSJP vocation team earlier this year and am planning to transition more fully into this ministry after graduation. I am looking forward to being immersed in many of the issues and learning skills and gaining resources for this new adventure.

In our CSJP Constitutions we say that:

Our founding spirit calls us
to further the work of peace. ...
In accord with our tradition
we commit ourselves to promote peace
in family life, in the church, and in society.
We strive to respect the dignity of all persons,
to value the gifts of creation,
and to confront oppressive situations.
We respond to God's people in need
and promote social justice
as a way to peace. ...
Confident of God's faithful love
and collaborating with others who work for
justice and peace,
we face the future with gratitude and hope.

We also quote this other Scripture passage in our Constitutions:

True justice
is the harvest
reaped by peacemakers
from seeds sown
in a spirit of peace. (James 3:18)

Given the current state of the world, it certainly seems that there is a lot of work to be done! I have a great deal of energy and excitement about our future as a community seeking peace through justice. I know in my heart that God is calling us into the future, and that others will join us on the journey as peacemakers and harvesters.  I am excited about the opportunity to be part of our vocation team which both seeks out these "brave, noble, large-minded, courageous souls." as our founder put it, and invites them to consider the wonderfully crazy life of a CSJP!