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.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2015

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