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Sunday, September 6, 1998

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23rd Sunday Ordinary Time


Wisdom 9:13-18
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Psalm 90
Luke 14:25-33

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half and half?

"For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans." —Wisdom 9:14

Jesus claimed that we would be laughed at and defeated if we don't live Christian lives of total commitment (Lk 14:28-32). Of course, Jesus has been proven right. Our government, mass media, and financial institutions generally find Christians to be amusing. Furthermore, our Christian churches are comprised not only of people who were defeated before they became Christians, but also of those who are not fully committed to Jesus and have then seen their marriages, families, and health fall apart after becoming Christians. This half-built, half-done, half-baked Christianity is bad for everyone.

Therefore,

  • make your relationship with Jesus in a class by itself (see Lk 14:26),
  • deny, even hate, your very self (Lk 14:26; 9:23),
  • die to self by taking up your daily cross(es) (Lk 14:27; 9:23), and
  • renounce all your possessions (Lk 14:33).

Be hot or cold, but not lukewarm (Rv 3:16). Don't be a joke or a loser. Be fully committed to Jesus.

Prayer:  Father, "teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on Your servants!" (Ps 90:12-13)

Promise:  "Fill us at daybreak with Your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days." —Ps 90:14

Praise:  Praise Jesus, risen, glorified, and seated at the right hand of the Father!

Reference:  (Pray about ordering and praying our book, Conversion-Conversations. This book contains forty weeks of daily scriptural conversations with God. At the end of the forty weeks, you will be hot for Jesus.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, February 17, 1998


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 25, 1998