"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. 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).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 22, 2007

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