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Monday, September 2, 1996

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1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Psalm 119
Luke 4:16-30

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working under pressure

"Do here in your own country the things we have heard you have done in Capernaum." — Luke 4:23

The people of Nazareth expected healings in their town just as Jesus had done in Capernaum. However, Jesus refused to be a crowd-pleaser. Instead, He prophesied to His hometown folk and called them to repentance (Lk 4:24ff). They were indignant because Jesus had not met their expectations, so they tried to throw Him over a cliff (Lk 4:29:30). Nevertheless, Jesus had done what His Father wanted and did not give in to the pressure.

Paul came to the violent city of Corinth after having been laughed at and rejected at Athens (Acts 17:33ff). He had several reasons for being "in weakness and fear, and with much trepidation" (1 Cor 2:3). He was tempted to look good through the eloquent (1 Cor 2:1), "persuasive force of 'wise' argumentation" (1 Cor 2:4). However, Paul resisted this temptation. He determined that while he was at Corinth, he "would speak of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2). He relied on the Spirit (1 Cor 2:4) and not on his natural abilities.

Do you do what God wants even if that is unpopular? Do you give in to pressure? Do you think more of how you look than of what God wants? No matter what, please God (Gal 1:10).

Prayer:  Father, may I obey You faithfully by refusing to be manipulated.

Promise:  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; therefore He has anointed Me. He has sent Me to bring glad tidings to the poor." —Lk 4:18

Praise:  George quit a high-paying job because the Lord told Him to quit.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, January 29, 1996


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 5, 1996