a god-send
"I solemnly assure you, he who accepts anyone I send accepts Me, and in accepting Me accepts Him Who sent Me." —John 13:20
We accept Jesus and God the Father by accepting those whom Jesus sends to us. Jesus has sent us His body, the Church. He has sent us the bishops and the Pope as leaders of the Church. The members of our parish are "God-sent." He has sent the members of our families into our lives. Our neighbors and co-workers are "heaven-sent." Even some of our enemies are sent by Jesus.
Consequently, we accept Jesus and the Father by:
- loving and obeying His Church,
- knowing and serving our fellow parishioners,
- laying down our lives for the members of our family,
- loving our co-workers and neighbors as ourselves (see Mt 22:39), and
- forgiving, loving, and even dying for our enemies (see Lk 6:27-35).
Accepting Jesus is not an isolated decision. To accept Jesus is to take all our relationships to a new level. To accept Jesus is to enter a new dimension of humanly impossible, unconditional, crucified love. To accept Jesus is a grace, miracle, and privilege. Accept Jesus — on His terms.
Prayer: Father, teach me to love.
Promise: "The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness." —Ps 89:2
Praise: Martha packed up her four small children to walk several blocks every day in order to serve lunch to an ill, elderly fellow parishioner and small Christian community member.
Reference: (Pentecost is approaching. To prepare for Pentecost, order our brochure, The Pentecost Novena, and our booklet, Praying For A New Pentecost.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000