A Future that still remains a Dream for just one person

A Future that still remains a Dream for just one person

As one who imagines an impossible achievement that seems to remain aloof, find another dreamer who will support your imagination and together you both will become one in thought and receive a common goal.  Where do we find an example of this scenario?  Jesus, when he began his ministry, didn’t choose just one person and rely on that man to continue his mission.

As he was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers.  Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea.  They were fishermen.  He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”   (Mt 4: 18 - 19).  

Already, our Lord took care to not just choose one person and hope this man would be the one to assist in the mission that God had sent his Son to accomplish.  We also found that later when Jesus sent disciples out to evangelize he sent them in pairs of two.  After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.  He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send laborers for his harvest.”  (Lk 10: 1 - 2).

There are a lot of sound principles that suggest not having just one person take upon himself a task that might challenge his integrity in the eyes of society.  If Joseph would have had a companion when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, (Gn 39: 1 ff) the story would have had a different conclusion.  However, the challenge for Joseph would not have completed this story of God’s generosity.  It does put a positive effect on ministry when more than one person undertakes a mission.

So it is when one person attempts to accomplish a dream that does not include an assisting partner and his thoughts may just crumble due to no support from at least one more person.  Jesus knew this and we see that he chose twelve apostles to establish his Church for God throughout the world.  One thought regarding numbers in the bible.  Seven denotes perfection.  Three signifies the Holy Trinity.  As in Holy orders; three levels of ordination:  deacon, priest, bishop. We also see the three days of the Easter Triduum indicating the completion of the mission of Christ.  He suffered for three hours on the Cross.  Twelve is often seen as divine authority and perfection in governing indicated with the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve apostles.  Understanding the total meaning of these numbers as well as others, the significance of who all of these attributes are for is Jesus Christ.  The entire bible is about Jesus Christ, his creation of the world, his passion to forgive sinners, and his final appearance on earth in the parousia.  

Do not let the approaching Passion of Christ present anything else than our appreciation of God’s final attempt to give his Marcy to each one of us who deserved the penalty for sin.  There cannot be any greater example of forgiveness than what was executed by three persons;  The Holy Trinity; One eternal God.    

Ralph B. Hathaway