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Tuesday, November 7, 2000

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Philippians 2:5-11
Psalm 22:26-32
Luke 14:15-24

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on empty in him

"I want My house to be full." —Luke 14:23

Jesus "emptied Himself and took the form of a slave" (Phil 2:7). Because of His self-emptying, "absolute fullness reside(s) in Him" (Col 1:19). In Jesus, we can be full of love, life, power, and hope only if we are empty of sin, selfishness, bitterness, and unforgiveness. A certain kind of emptiness is necessary for true fulfillment.

When we fill ourselves with the things of the world, we become empty spiritually. In dealing with our spiritual emptiness, we tend to fill ourselves with more of the things of the world. This, of course, makes us even more empty spiritually. To be truly filled and fulfilled, we must hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mt 5:6). If we share in Christ's poverty, we will share in His fullness (see Jn 1:16; Col 1:19). If we decrease so Christ will increase (Jn 3:30), we will be in Jesus in Whom the fullness of deity resides in bodily form (Col 1:19).

Those stuffed with the things of the world are empty. Those empty in Christ are in absolute fullness. Are you on empty in Christ?

Prayer:  Father, teach me to seek emptiness, and You will fill me.

Promise:  "I will fulfill my vows before those who fear Him. The lowly shall eat their fill; they who seek the Lord shall praise Him." —Ps 22:26-27

Praise:  The Malloy's repented of using artificial birth control. As they emptied themselves of pride, Jesus filled their house with the sounds of laughter coming from their four children.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 24, 2000


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 27, 2000