no man is an island
Jesus said, " 'Beg the Harvest Master to send out laborers to gather His harvest.' Then He summoned His twelve disciples." —Matthew 9:38—10:1
The Lord promised His people happiness, sustenance, guidance, abundance, light, and healing (see Is 30:19ff). Centuries later, Jesus looked at crowds of people, and "His heart was moved with pity. They were lying prostrate from exhaustion, like sheep without a shepherd" (Mt 9:36). Are God's promises true? If so, why aren't we seeing them fulfilled?
God usually plans it so that we need help to receive His promises. We need laborers for the harvest (Mt 9:37). We need twelve disciples (Mt 10:1), that is, a small community of Christians, to cure our sicknesses and diseases and to expel unclean spirits (Mt 10:1). We need people and a community to call us to faith in Jesus and total commitment to His kingdom (see Mt 10:7). "How can they believe unless they have heard of Him? And how can they hear unless there is someone to preach?" (Rm 10:14)
Be a laborer in the harvest. Other people need you. Don't be reluctant to ask others to help you grow close to the Lord. You need others. Try to join or form a small Christian community. You need a community of Christians. As Jesus invested His life in twelve disciples, so should we. Then we will "cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons" (Mt 10:8). We will see God's promises fulfilled.
Prayer: Father, may I see every one of Your promises fulfilled and help others do the same.
Promise: "The gift you have received, give as a gift." —Mt 10:8
Praise: Through faith in Jesus, Nicholas brought three children back to life who had been kidnapped and murdered.
Reference: (For more teaching, order our book, Introduction to Small Christian Communities.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, June 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 9, 1997