Whenever human beings begin playing god disaster follows. Hosea accused the people of Israel of turning their backs on God. Their political and economic practices were based on selfishness and not on God's law. As for God - the people really worshipped a God of their own making - one who would not challenge their comfortable life. It is very easy to cover selfishness and sin with religious language. We need to search our own hearts to see if we are being faithful to God or ourselves.

Many people think that there is a declining interest in religion and God but that is not the case. It is true that many have lost heart and are confused. They yearn for spiritual guidance and for an authentic encounter with God. There is a growing interest in spirituality. This was the need that Jesus responded to and he asks us to do the same. We cannot give what we do not have - if we do not know the Lord personally we will not be able to lead others to God. The harvest is indeed plenty, and as for the laborers - it is not a matter of numbers. God asks that we be filled with the Spirit and with love for others, joyful in our faith and compassionate to all. Only then will we truly be an effective laborer in God's vineyard.