MATTHEW 9:35–10:4 – HE SENDS THE APOSTLES AMONG THE SHEEP THAT HAVE NO SHEPHERD
COMPASSION THAT BECOMES MISSION AND VOCATION
Introduction
After teaching and healing throughout the towns and villages, Jesus sees more than crowds—He sees wounded lives and neglected souls. The religious leaders have not shepherded the people with mercy, truth, and guidance. Moved with pity, Jesus first commands prayer for labourers, and then He answers that prayer by summoning the Twelve and sharing His authority with them. The passage reveals a decisive movement: compassion becomes mission, and mission becomes the Church’s continuing responsibility.
Bible Passage (Mt 9:35–10:4)
Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every 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. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
Background
This passage forms a bridge between Jesus’ Galilean ministry (teaching and healing) and the first major missionary sending in Matthew’s Gospel (Mt 10). After the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew portrays Jesus practicing what He preached—mercy, healing, and restoration. Yet the need is greater than what one visible ministry can reach at a time. Therefore, Jesus expands His mission through chosen representatives. The Church is already being foreshadowed: Christ’s compassion does not end in feeling; it becomes structure, sending, authority, and service.
Opening Life Connection
In every parish and family, there are people who look fine outwardly but are “troubled and abandoned” within—confused, lonely, addicted, grieving, or drifting from faith. When there are not enough shepherds, teachers, and witnesses, the “harvest” can be lost simply because no one gathered it. Jesus’ remedy is still the same: pray for labourers—and become one according to your vocation.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“Jesus went around all the towns and villages”
Jesus does not wait for people to come; He goes to them. True pastoral charity is outward-moving.
“Teaching… proclaiming… curing”
The ministry of Jesus is whole: Word and mercy, truth and healing, doctrine and compassion.
“His heart was moved with pity”
This is the inner spring of mission. The Church’s evangelization must be born from mercy, not ambition.
“Troubled and abandoned”
Jesus sees spiritual fatigue: burdens, misguidance, and neglect. He names what others ignore.
“Like sheep without a shepherd”
Sheep scatter, starve, and fall prey without guidance. Souls do the same without faithful leadership.
“The harvest is abundant”
God’s field is full—people are ready for grace, truth, healing, and direction.
“The laborers are few”
The shortage is not in God’s generosity but in human availability and courage to serve.
“Ask the master of the harvest”
Vocations begin in prayer. The Church does not manufacture labourers; she begs the Lord to send them.
“Then he summoned his twelve disciples”
Jesus answers prayer with a call. Prayer opens hearts; calling shapes them; mission sends them.
“Gave them authority”
Mission is not self-appointed. It is Christ’s authority shared for the liberation and healing of God’s people.
“The names of the twelve apostles”
Names matter: God calls persons, not anonymous workers. Each apostle is distinct, yet united in one mission.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
The image of shepherd and sheep is deeply biblical. Israel knew God as shepherd (Ps 23) and also suffered under failed shepherds—leaders who fed themselves instead of the flock (Ezek 34:2–6). Jesus fulfills God’s promise to personally shepherd His people (Ezek 34:11–12). The harvest image also echoes Israel’s agricultural life and prophetic themes of gathering God’s people. Jesus is claiming the decisive moment: the field is ripe, and God is acting now through the Messiah.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
This passage illuminates the Church’s apostolic foundation: Christ calls, forms, and sends. The authority given to the Twelve anticipates apostolic ministry continuing in the Church’s life through sacred ordination and mission. At the same time, by Baptism and Confirmation, every Christian shares in Christ’s mission to witness “in words accompanied by deeds” (CCC 1316). The Church needs ordained shepherds, religious consecration, and engaged lay disciples—each according to their proper vocation.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
St. Francis Xavier, sent as a missionary, became a living example of the “labourer” begged from the Master of the harvest. His missionary zeal shows what happens when prayer, obedience to mission, and sacrificial love converge: the harvest is gathered not by human strength alone, but by grace working through a willing servant.
Application to Christian Life Today
-
Look at people as Jesus looks: not as inconveniences, but as sheep needing shepherding.
-
Participate in the harvest: teach the faith at home, encourage the fallen, guide the young, and welcome the distant.
-
Promote vocations intentionally: prayer, positive speech about priesthood and religious life, and supportive parish culture.
-
Support labourers: encouragement, respect, and practical help for clergy, religious, catechists, and missionaries.
-
Become a labourer where you are: your family, workplace, parish ministries, and community are your first mission fields.
Eucharistic Connection
The Good Shepherd gathers His sheep at the altar. In the Eucharist, Christ feeds the troubled and abandoned and strengthens the labourers He sends. The mission of the Church flows from the altar: we receive the Shepherd, and we are commissioned to shepherd, gather, and heal in His name.
Messages / Call to Conversion
-
Let Jesus form your heart to feel compassion, not indifference.
-
Pray faithfully for vocations and for holy, courageous shepherds.
-
Accept your share in the harvest through Baptism and Confirmation.
-
Support priests, religious, missionaries, and lay ministers with genuine charity.
-
Choose one concrete act of pastoral service this week: a visit, a call, a reconciliation, a catechetical moment at home.
Outline for Preachers (Printable – Bullet Form)
• Background within the Gospel: summary of Jesus’ ministry → transition to the sending of the Twelve
• Life connection: spiritual abandonment today; shortage of mentors, shepherds, and witnesses
• Key verses and phrases explained: moved with pity, sheep without a shepherd, harvest/labourers, ask the master, summoned, authority
• Jewish historical and religious context: Ezek 34; Ps 23; shepherd imagery in Israel; harvest as gathering theme
• Catholic teaching and tradition: apostolic foundation; vocation; baptismal mission (CCC 1316)
• Saintly/historical illustration: St. Francis Xavier as a labourer sent into the harvest
• Application to life today: vocation culture, family catechesis, parish service, missionary support
• Eucharistic connection: gathered and fed at the altar → sent into mission
• Key messages and call to conversion: pray, serve, support, and become a labourer
