It is the duty of all to work with Jesus Christ in the establishment of His kingdom, the communication of knowledge, the gaining and elevation of souls. The duty of imitating Him includes the carrying on of His functions in our own imperfect way, enlightening, interceding, suffering. In these works Our Lord exercised more than ordinary human powers. His Divine Personality was the source of countless activities which transcended nature; and He grants some participation in these graces and powers to such as labour with Him, and thereby He makes them still more to resemble Him. The work is high and difficult, and requires special endowments, which are accorded in a notable degree to the great saints, the Apostles and other ministers of Christ, and in a lesser degree to His humbler coadjutors. Everyone may labour for Christ in the spiritual vineyard. This work is not for a class of men only, but for all. If any wish to labour thus, God will open a way to them and show them opportunities in abundance lying ready to their hands. He provides useful employment for every one who sincerely desires it. There is so much in the world to be done and so few who care to inconvenience themselves for the love of God and their sorrowing brethren! These words are said to you also: "Labour in all things, do the work of an Evangelist, fulfil thy ministry" (2 Tim. iv. 5). Do not plead that you have no opening or that you are incapable. The graces "gratis datæ" are graces given to remedy such deficiencies.
