A woman called Jesus' mother blest because Mary's womb bore Jesus and her breasts nursed Him. Jesus corrected the woman by saying that Mary was blest because she heard the Word of God and kept it (Lk 11:27-28).
We likewise are blest not because of our connections with Jesus but because of our commitment to Him. We may be connected to Jesus through prayer, church involvement, religious practices, service to the poor, moral behavior, etc. We may even be associated with Jesus by prophesying, driving out demons, or working miracles (Mt 7:22). However, on Judgment Day, Jesus will gather those who are merely churchgoers, humanitarians, decent citizens, and even prophets, exorcists, and miracle-workers. He will call some of them "evildoers" and tell them to get out of His sight (Mt 7:23).
The Lord is calling us not to be merely connected with Him but totally committed to Him. Jesus died on the cross to save us, and He wants nothing less than everything we are and have. He is totally committed to us and calls us to be totally committed to Him.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I repent of giving 99% to You. I give up that one thing, habit, or sin that separates me from total commitment to You. |
| PROMISE: | "All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Him." –Gal 3:27 |
| PRAISE: | Evelyn, a non-Catholic, worked for a Catholic parish for years. Influenced by the faith of her co-workers, she chose to convert to the Catholic Faith. |
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