"The harvest is good but laborers are scarce" (Mt 9:37). Over four billion people do not know Jesus. Moreover, many of the one-and-a-half billion people who have been baptized as Christians don't love Jesus with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength (see Lk 10:27). Therefore, we have a monumental job in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus' kingdom throughout the whole world (see Mt 24:14).
However, the Lord will multiply our efforts if we but give our all to Him and to world evangelization. We must be willing to do, say or sacrifice anything to lead others to Christ. We should gladly suffer "trials, difficulties, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, and riots...hard work, sleepless nights, and fastings" (2 Cor 6:4-5) to lead others to the Lord. We must even be willing to die so as to lead people to Christ.
Jesus said: "I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit" (Jn 12:24). Jesus died to save us. As His witnesses, we also must love people enough to be willing to die so as to lead them to salvation. Pray for the heart of Christ. Pray for crucified love. Pray for all "to be saved and come to know the truth" (1 Tm 2:4).
| PRAYER: | Father, change my heart so that I will love others into Your kingdom. |
| PROMISE: | "But what I say to you is: offer no resistance to injury. When a person strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him the other." –Mt 5:39 |
| PRAISE: | During a period of spiritual dryness, St. Romuald was praying Psalm 32 and read the following verse: "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you" (Ps 32:8). With that, God gave him a deep understanding of His love. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College