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Monday, March 12, 2018

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Isaiah 65:17-21
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
John 4:43-54

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get the point

"He and his whole household thereupon became believers." —John 4:53

There are various points in any work. There is conception, when we conceive an idea. Every work has its beginning and end. Most works are punctuated with breakthroughs, decisions, and problems. The most important point in a work is often the point of faith.

For example, a royal official tried unsuccessfully to bring healing to his son who was near death. When he heard that Jesus "had come back from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and begged Him to come down and restore health to his son" (Jn 4:47). When Jesus declined to come, the royal official believed Jesus' statement: " 'Return home. Your son will live.' The man put his trust in the word Jesus spoke to him, and started for home" (Jn 4:50). At this point, the son was healed, although the royal official did not learn about it till the next day (Jn 4:51). The most important point in this miracle was when the royal official believed. Even if his son had not been healed till later, the point of faith would have been the most important point.

The Lord wants to heal you, bring reconciliation to your family, lead you to a beautiful vocation, give you financial freedom, etc. The most important point in these wonderful works is usually the point when you know God's will and obediently put your faith in Him.

In this Lent, may you "get the point" of faith.

Prayer:  Father, I have faith! Help my lack of faith! (Mk 9:24, our transl.)

Promise:  "He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years, and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed." —Is 65:20

Praise:  Ruth joined the secular Franciscans at age forty-eight and followed Jesus and St. Francis for fifty years.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 10, 2017

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