the now word of salvation (see ez 33:30)
“The Lord has made His salvation known.” —Psalm 98:2
Through today’s Mass readings, the Church makes known to you the salvation of God. Salvation is the way of suffering persecution, insult (Mt 5:39), hardships (Mt 5:41), afflictions (2 Cor 6:5), and more. That’s what the Lord has made known. We might say, “If this is salvation, I don’t want it!” From the natural, worldly mindset, that’s understandable. However, God’s Word makes known a new “mentality” (see 1 Pt 4:1). “We must undergo many trials if we are to enter into the reign of God” (Acts 14:22).
Now that the Lord has made known His way of salvation “in the sight of the nations” (Ps 98:2), there is an urgent choice to be made. “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). Now, “today,” is the time to prepare for a salvation that involves hardships, sufferings, and persecution. If you can’t accept this way of salvation, admit it to God “now” (2 Cor 6:2). If you don’t deal with this, it will eventually consume you (see Ps 32:3-5).
Salvation is a “now” word (see Ez 33:30). What if today is the last day you would ever be able to say “Yes” to the Lord’s offer of eternal salvation? We must see God as our loving Father “today,” so we can accept a merciful Savior. “Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day” (Sir 5:8).
Prayer: “Lord, save me!” (Mt 14:30)
Promise: “ ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you; on a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!” —2 Cor 6:2
Praise: Rachel reached out to love a difficult, elderly neighbor. She felt blessed when this neighbor turned to her in time of grave sickness.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior and God view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)
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