population explosion and evangelism explosion
"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and a couple of dried fish, but what good is that for so many?" —John 6:9
The Lord's first words to newly created human beings were: "Be fertile and multiply" (Gn 1:28). His will is to multiply people. There are over five billion people on planet earth. The Lord also intends to multiply disciples. He commanded us: "Full authority has been given to Me both in heaven and on earth; Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations" (Mt 28:18-19).
To get us into the multiplication business, Jesus will multiply loaves and fish. He will take our little everyday lives and miraculously make them more than sufficient to feed the masses both physically and spiritually. The multiplication of our loaves-and-fish lives is the transition from multiplying people to multiplying disciples. The Lord wants an evangelism explosion greater than the population explosion. This occurs when the Spirit explodes our little lives of total commitment. The fallout will cover the world with the gospel and name of Jesus.
Jesus assures us: "I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in Me will do the works I do, and greater far than these" (Jn 14:12). His "power now at work in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20). Let Jesus light your fuse.
Prayer: Jesus, as I celebrate Mass today, multiply the effect of my life to win the nations to You.
Promise: "There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all." —Eph 4:4-6
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who was broken so that we may experience the power of multiplication in our everyday lives!
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005
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