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." (Mt 9:35-10:1, 6-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120923.cfm
Probably one of the most unusual and unexpected ”laborers for the harvest” is Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (1474-1548), who received the visits and the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December 1531. The humble Chichimec peasant was chosen by the “Señora of Tepeyac” to be the first Guadalupano. Her image left on his tilma can still be seen in the Basilica in México City.
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, December 9
