Jesus was and is a sign of contradiction (Lk 2:34). As the Prophet, He did and said things which were challenging, confrontational, even shocking. Although He "ruffled a few feathers," people didn't get too upset over these things. Yet when Jesus put Himself in such a crowded situation that it was impossible even to get food to Him, that did it. Jesus' relatives "came to take charge of Him, saying, ‘He is out of His mind' " (Mk 3:21).
Throughout history, God's people seem to think about food differently than He does. God had to show us what foods not to eat because we didn't know any better (Lv 11:1ff). Kosher foods were only a small part of God's revelation on food. The Lord revealed to us the necessity and privilege of fasting (see Is 58:6ff). He even sent out the first missionaries with no food (Lk 9:3).
St. Paul warned against those who "serve, not Christ our Lord, but their own bellies" (Rm 16:18). "Such as these will end in disaster!" (Phil 3:19) They are "enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil 3:18). If Jesus is Lord of our lives, He must be Lord of our food.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, teach me to pray, love, live, and eat. |
| PROMISE: | "How much more will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself up unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God!" –Heb 9:14 |
| PRAISE: | St. Marianne Cope was known as Mother Marianne of Molakai. She took over what Fr. Damien had started and changed life for the lepers on Molakai. |
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