The Lord could have worked out His plan of salvation without involving us, but He decided to make us parts of His body (see 1 Cor 12:12). He has chosen to accomplish His plan through our lives of good works (Eph 2:10). Therefore, it is extremely important for us to work hard for the Lord. Thus, the Lord commanded us to beg the Harvest Master to send workers into His harvest (Mt 9:38).

Because our work is so important, Satan tries to shut it down. He lies to us by saying our work is so meaningless that it will soon be forgotten by others and even by God. Yet, the truth is that God "will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him by your service, past and present, to His holy people" (Heb 6:10). Another tactic by which the devil tries to slow down or stop our work is planting doubt in us about the reward of our labors. We are tempted to wonder if our work will ever amount to much and even if "our reward will be great in heaven" (see Mt 5:12; 2 Tm 4:8). The truth is that we can be fully assured of that for which we hope and of inheriting God's promises (Heb 6:11-12; Mt 10:41-42). A third tactic Satan uses is to convince us to "take a break," that we have "done our share," and we now need to "take some time for ourselves." However, we "must never grow weary of doing what is right" (2 Thes 3:13).

Resist these temptations. Work hard and harder for the Lord (see Hg 2:4). "Our desire is that each of you show the same zeal till the end" (Heb 6:11).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 27, 2012

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