workers for the harvest are a harvest
"Jesus sent these men on mission." —Matthew 10:5
Although "the harvest is good but laborers are scarce" (Mt 9:37), Jesus does not immediately send out His disciples to labor in His harvest. First, He commands them to pray for the Father to send out laborers. Second, He gives His disciples authority over every demon and sickness (Mt 10:1). Third, He determines His primary community by choosing twelve apostles by name (Mt 10:2-4). Finally, He sends them out to evangelize and minister (Mt 10:6ff).
We will not have workers in the harvest until we form Christian community, until we are in a family of our own twelve apostles. However, we won't be able to participate in and form community unless we use our God-given authority to remove demonic strongholds standing in the way of Christian community life. However, we need to pray before receiving God's authority.
Yes, we need to pray for workers for the harvest, particularly for priestly and religious vocations to be accepted. Yet there's more. We must pray for Christians to use their authority in Jesus to form the community that provides workers for the harvest. Workers for the harvest are themselves a harvest, the fruit of prayer, the proper use of spiritual authority and Christian community. Prepare for a harvest of harvesters.
Prayer: Father, may Your workers be not nearly as scarce.
Promise: "Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain down justice upon you." —Hos 10:12
Praise: St. Benedict worked miracles, prophesied, and wrote a rule of monastic life which has been followed by monks for centuries.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Job Performance for Jesus or our audio tape AV 43-3 or on video V-43.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2012
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