catholic workers
"The harvest is rich but the workers are few; therefore ask the Harvest-Master to send workers to His harvest." —Luke 10:2
Jesus needs many more workers to reach the more than four-billion people who don't know Him. He also needs many more workers to help the nearly two-billion Christians grow in holiness. Therefore, "take courage" and work for Jesus (see Hg 2:4). Work, even if you think you have worked "in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent" your strength (Is 49:4). Work, even if you consider yourself inadequate and without much to offer compared to other parts of Christ's body (see 1 Cor 12:15-16). Work, even if you or others think you're not needed (1 Cor 12:20-22). Work, even if you are very late for work. The Lord in His mercy may give you a full-life's pay for very little time on the job (Mt 20:9). Work, even if you have to suffer, as Jesus the Worker suffered.
St. Luke gave up a good job as a doctor (see Col 4:14) to work for Jesus. The benefits of working for Jesus didn't seem that good. You couldn't have even a walking staff, a traveling bag, or sandals (Lk 10:4). However, Luke did one of the greatest, most fruitful works in history. He wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Be like Luke. Work "for food that remains unto life eternal" (Jn 6:27).
Prayer: Father, may Your love impel me to work for You with zeal (see 2 Cor 5:14).
Promise: "The Lord stood by my side and gave me strength, so that through me the preaching task might be completed and all the nations might hear the gospel." —2 Tm 4:17
Praise: St. Luke "carefully traced the whole sequence of events from the beginning" and "decided to set it in writing for you" so that you "may see how reliable" the message of Jesus is (Lk 1:3-4). Praise You, Lord, for inspiring Luke to preserve Your good news for our sake.
Reference: (Celebrate the feast of St. Luke by ordering our booklet, Simple Reading Guide to Luke and Acts, and our leaflet, Job Performance for Jesus.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 24, 2014
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