crutches
"With that they went off, preaching the need of repentance. They expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures." —Mark 6:12-13
Many Christians have accepted Jesus as Lord, been born again, and even have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Yet still the great harvest has few workers (Lk 10:2). Few make the transition from basic Christian commitment to ministry. What's our problem?
After Jesus summoned and sent forth the apostles with "authority over unclean spirits" (Mk 6:7), "He instructed them to take nothing on the journey" (Mk 6:8). He even enumerated "no food, no traveling bag, not a coin," no second tunic, and no accommodations (Mk 6:8-10). Few have ever trusted the Lord so as to go forth without any crutches, totally dependent on Him. However, this is basic training for Christian ministry.
This may be the cause of our problem, the great harvest with few workers. We don't need more training as much as more trusting. We don't need more crutches; instead we need to lean more on Jesus. In our weakness, His power will reach perfection (2 Cor 12:9). We are always saved by faith, not by works (Rm 4:16). We don't need more works but more faith.
Prayer: Lord, forgive and heal me. May I throw away my crutches.
Promise: "You have drawn near to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to myriads of angels in festal gathering, to the assembly of the first-born enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant." —Heb 12:22-24
Praise: Trusting in the Lord in times of persecution, St. Blase continued his healing ministry, only to be rewarded by God through a grateful woman whose son Blase had healed when she brought him supplies while imprisoned.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, August 18 8, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 23, 2004