Jesus has always been a "Sign of contradiction" (Lk 2:34, our transl). Some people respond to the contradiction by trying to destroy Him and His Church (see Mt 12:14-15), while others follow Him and are healed.
Jesus is the greatest Healer of all times. However, He wants to be known not primarily as a healer but as crucified Love (see 1 Jn 4:8, 16).
Jesus is the Lord of lords and the King of kings (see Rv 17:14), yet He comes to us as the Suffering Servant (see Mt 12:18ff).
Jesus proclaims justice (Mt 12:12), and He is Justice (1 Cor 1:30). Yet His "mercy triumphs over judgment" (Jas 2:13).
Jesus is our Judge, Who will, if necessary, accept our decision to be alienated from Him forever and to damn ourselves. However, Jesus has died and risen so that all might be saved and none would be damned (see 1 Tm 2:4).
Jesus is our Redeemer. He frees us only by making us His slaves (see Rm 6:16).
Jesus is God, Who emptied Himself to become a man (Phil 2:7). This means Jesus is simultaneously fully God and fully man. But how can this be? Totally give yourself to Jesus. Plunge into the paradox and mystery of His infinite love.
| PRAYER: | Father, no one knows Your Son as You do (Mt 11:27). Send the Holy Spirit to lead me into the depths of Jesus (see 1 Cor 2:10-11). |
| PROMISE: | "At the end of four hundred and thirty years, all the hosts of the Lord left the land of Egypt on this very date." –Ex 12:41 |
| PRAISE: | St. Apollinaris' life was exemplary for persistence. As bishop of Ravenna, Italy, he was expelled from the city an astounding four times! His final beating earned him a martyr's crown. |
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