our only worthiness
"Make your lives worthy of the God Who calls you to His kingship and glory." —1 Thessalonians 2:12
"Lead a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him in every way" (Col 1:10). "Conduct yourselves, then, in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Phil 1:27). "Live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Eph 4:1). The Lord commands us to lead lives worthy of Him, the Gospel, and our calling. Will the Lord be able to declare the end of this day and the end of our lives "worthy"?
Before receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, we admit: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive You." We are not worthy to receive God or worthy of God. How can we be worthy? In heaven, they sing: "Worthy are You to receive the scroll and break open its seals, for You were slain" (Rv 5:9). They all cry out: "Worthy is the Lamb That was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and praise!" (Rv 5:12) Jesus alone is worthy, and we have been baptized into Him (Rm 6:3). In Jesus, we are worthy. In Jesus, our lives are worthy of God, the Gospel, our calling, and eternal life. So we sing forever: "Worthy is the Lamb!"
Prayer: Jesus, my only Worthiness, I praise You forever!
Promise: "That is why we thank God constantly that in receiving His message from us you took it, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God at work within you who believe." —1 Thes 2:13
Praise: Monica's pagan husband was violent and ill-tempered. Her method of diffusing disputes was to guard her tongue when her husband was angry. Her love for him and for Jesus led to his conversion and peace.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 4, 1997