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Saturday, February 15, 1997

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Isaiah 58:9-14
Psalm 86
Luke 5:27-32

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following the news

Jesus "saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his customs post. He said to him, 'Follow Me.' " —Luke 5:27

Levi left behind his job as a tax collector and followed Jesus. He eventually became the apostle who wrote the first book of the New Testament and the first Gospel, the good news of Jesus. You also have been called to follow Jesus. If you, like Levi, choose to follow Jesus, you will write the gospel, the good news of Jesus. In fact, you will be the good news, "known and read by all men, written on your hearts" (2 Cor 3:2). You will be and preach good news to the poor (Lk 4:18). "The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; 'Repairer of the breach,' they shall call you, 'Restorer of ruined homesteads' " (Is 58:12). "You shall delight in the Lord" (Is 58:14). He "will make you ride on the heights of the earth" (Is 58:14). You will be very good news.

Will you surrender all to Jesus? Will you accept Him as Lord of your life, job, money, and possessions? Will you follow Him and be the good news of Jesus for a world of bad news?

Prayer:  Father, as I fast for forty days in imitation of Jesus, write the good news on my heart for all to see.

Promise:  "He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails." —Is 58:11

Praise:  Alice can't keep the good news of Jesus to herself. She witnesses to strangers, teachers, and fellow students.

Reference:  (For help in reading Levi's gospel, order our booklet, Simple Reading Guide to Matthew & Mark.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, August 1, 1996


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 6, 1996