Jesus is here. Drop everything. Imitate the Ninevites who stopped the workings of their whole society in order to fast, put on sackcloth, and repent (Jon 3:5). When Simon and Andrew met Jesus, they dropped their fishing business (Mk 1:18). James and John did the same thing in addition to leaving behind their father, Zebedee (Mk 1:20).
Because Jesus is here and will come again in glory, husbands should live as though they did not have wives (1 Cor 7:29), that is, they should at times temporarily abstain from marital relations so that they can pray and fast (1 Cor 7:5). Those who are weeping or rejoicing (1 Cor 7:30) should stop thinking about how they feel, because "the time is short" (1 Cor 7:29) and "the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mk 1:15, our transl). Moreover, those who are buyers and involved in the world's system (see 1 Cor 7:30-31) need to start financial planning foar the time when a person will not be allowed "to buy or sell anything unless he was first marked with the name of the beast" (Rv 13:17). "The world as we know it is passing away" (1 Cor 7:31).
Christ has died. Drop everything. Christ is risen. Drop everything. Christ will come again. Drop everything. Jesus is Lord!
| PRAYER: | Father, free me from being possessed by my possessions. |
| PROMISE: | "Repent and believe in the gospel." —Mk 1:15, our transl. |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life! (Jn 11:25) I rejoice in You forever! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College