This week's gospel immediately follows the many accounts of Jesus' healing in Matthew 8-9. But Jesus didn't do everything on his own. He wanted his disciples to heal the sick too, pronouncing "pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to the harvest."

Jesus says "the labourers are few". Pope Leo warns in his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, that labourers may become even fewer as technology and AI could replace workers to increase company profits. Poorer countries and communities would be worst affected by "human and cultural impoverishment", if dignity and the common good become less important than profits.

​

As present day disciples, God trusts us to work communally and to "give without pay" the gifts, graces, humanity and love that only he grants. Gifts technology cannot replace. If the labourers will be fewer and the harvest remains plentiful, then a better world needs all of us to play our part.

​

In our prayer this week, let seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit on where we can direct our labour in this harvest.

The phrase "on eagles' wings" is a powerful biblical metaphor representing divine protection, strength, and transcendence. It conveys the idea that God lifts, carries, and safely guides His people through difficult trials, enabling them to overcome challenges and gain a higher, more peaceful perspective on life.

​

This imagery is used in a number of places in Old Testament scriptures, for example:

Exodus 19:4: "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself." Here, it symbolizes deliverance and God's tender, careful leading of the Israelites to safety.

 

Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles..." This verse uses the image of the eagle to illustrate spiritual endurance, freedom, and rising above life's burdens.

​

The beautiful hymn, 'On Eagle's Wings' by Michael Joncas takes the image as a reminder of the uplifting presence of God in our lives.

The act of the presence of God.

​

The exercises you'll find here help us to begin prayer in the presence of God. In your imagination, become aware of God’s presence and attention to you in this very moment. It may be that you can imagine God’s face looking down upon you right now and smiling or simply the sense of God’s presence. Do whatever works best for you, whatever allows you to better recognise your creator present with you, here and now.

In a world troubled by wars, hunger, inequality and injustice we recall the words of Pope Francis who told us that hope "is an anchor that one hurls towards the future, it is what lets you pull on the line, reach what you're aiming for and head in the right direction. Hope is also theological: God is there, too."

​

Pope Leo XIV also reminds us of the power of hope in his first encyclical, Magnifca Humanitas: With the same faith as Mary, let us become 'weavers of hope' in our world, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and his Kingdom take shape. In the humble fidelity of daily life, even the era of AI can become a time in which the Holy Spirit brings about the civilisation of love in our lives.

​

We hope for a better world, where all people can achieve their full potential. Together we pray that this hope may become a reality.

​

Prayers of Hope