Gospel in Art: The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few

The Veteran in a New Field, by Winslow Homer, 1865 © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 6 July 2025
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

At that time: The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace be to this house!" And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you." But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near." I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.'

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!' And he said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'

Reflection on the painting

Helen Keller, born in the United States in the late 19th century, lost her sight and hearing as a baby after a serious illness. Despite these challenges, she became a remarkable communicator and advocate, thanks in large part to her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Anne taught Helen words by tracing them into her hand, helping her associate touch with language, for example pouring water on her hands and then tracing the word 'water' on the back of her hand. Though Helen's spoken words remained difficult to understand, she went on to write books and deliver lectures, interpreted by Anne, that captivated audiences around the world. Her life is a testament to perseverance, the power of education, and the profound impact of compassionate support.

When Helen was asked, "If you could be granted one wish, what would it be?" many expected her to say sight or hearing. But her response was simple and striking: "I would wish for world peace." Despite her profound personal challenges, Helen's vision reached far beyond herself. Her answer invites us to ask: what would we wish for? Our answer reveals what we value most. In today's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to wish peace on each of the houses they will visit and urges us to ask not for position or privilege, but for labourers to be sent into God's harvest.

Winslow Homer's The Veteran in a New Field, painted in 1865, is a quiet yet powerful reflection on the aftermath of war and the promise of peace. Painted just after the American Civil War, it shows a lone man, a former soldier now turned farmer, harvesting a field of wheat with a simple scythe. In the lower right corner, a discarded Union Army jacket and canteen lie forgotten, signalling that this man has exchanged the tools of war for those of peace. The title hints that while this is a new field of grain, it replaces the old battlefield, the soil now nurturing life rather than absorbing death.

The painting captures that fragile, hope-filled moment when peace begins to settle in and healing can take root. The field is golden and plentiful, symbolising renewal and abundance. Homer, through this simple composition, echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah: "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares." It is a deeply biblical message: when the guns fall silent, the earth can finally breathe again, peace sets in and the harvest returns.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-10-1-12-17-20-2025-2/(with audio)