Why is church attendance down these days? We wonder why the Church that Jesus founded as his instrument of salvation to the world, seems to be declining. Some blame it on the pandemic and say that people got the idea that Sunday Mass is now an option. The most common reason I hear from people is that they “don’t get anything out of it.” People believe that they don’t need what the Church has to offer; they look to other sources to find solutions to their problems.
Jesus walked into a situation like ours. There was a hopelessness in Israel. It seemed like God had abandoned them, and that they would never “bounce back” again as a people. It was at this low moment that God sent the people a solution. We read about it today (Matthew 9:32-38).
“A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out, the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.’”
The grip of evil spirits plagued the land, and they couldn’t break free of them. Jesus was the only one on earth who had authority over spirits, and with a word he drove demons out of possessed people. At last, a solution had arrived! Watching Jesus set free the demoniac, they were amazed and realized that something new was taking place in Israel.
“But the Pharisees said, ‘He drives out demons by the prince of demons.’”
Tools of Satan and ineffective leaders, the Pharisees put down the One whom God sent to free the people. Jealous of Jesus’ success, their only recourse was to tell the people that his power came from the devil. We wonder how many people bought into the Pharisees’ lie.
Jesus continued his mission through the towns and villages of Galilee bringing the people hope by preaching the message of the Kingdom and healing people.
“At the sight of the crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Their so-called “shepherds” had abandoned the flock and spent their energies building their own kingdoms. The people were wandering aimlessly, not knowing how to make contact with God and break through the darkness. Their condition moved Jesus to want to do all that he could to be a good Shepherd to them.
When Jesus looks out upon our world today, surely his heart continues to be moved with pity. An epidemic of worry and anxiety sweeps over the world. Those to whom people used to look to for answers are silent; people feel like abandoned sheep. Let us proclaim that Jesus is still here waiting for us to reach out and allow him to be our Shepherd?
Ironically, at the very moment in history when people desperately need Jesus, they are turning their back on him. The Church which was established to continue to bring good news of hope to abandoned and troubled people does not seem to be getting the job done.
Jesus concluded:
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send our laborers for his harvest.”
Let that be our prayer today. And let us, as representatives of Jesus, make it our business to pray for and seek out the lost sheep of our day.
