Category: Message of the Day

LOVING THE MOST DEPRIVED

“I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men – the Son of Man will acknowledge him before the angels of God.” –Luke 12:8 Mass Readings: October 15 First: Ephesians 1:15-23; Resp: Psalm 8:2-7; Gospel: Luke 12:8-12 Several billion people desperately need to be introduced to Jesus, the only Way, Truth, Life (Jn 14:6), Savior (Acts 4:12), and God. The most deprived people in the world are those who have not come to know, love, and worship Jesus. Until we give our lives to Jesus, we have not begun to fully live. Consequently, because life in Christ is most important, and...

BAPTISMAL “RICHNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY”

“In [Christ] we were chosen.” –Ephesians 1:11 Mass Readings: October 14 First: Ephesians 1:11-14; Resp: Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,12-13; Gospel: Luke 12:1-7 We Christians have been baptized into Jesus and, consequently, into His death and Resurrection (Rm 6:3-4). We have been baptized into Jesus and into His priesthood, prophetic ministry, and kingship (see 1 Pt 2:9). “In [Christ] we were chosen” (Eph 1:11; see also 1:13). In and with Him, we are heirs of God’s kingdom (Rm 8:17; see also Eph 1:14). Baptized into Christ, we inherit the grace to be holy, pure, and free. The ramifications of our Baptisms are so...

ZAP!

“Woe to you! You are like hidden tombs over which men walk unawares.” –Luke 11:44 Mass Readings: October 12 Mass Readings: October 12 First: Galatians 5:18-25 ; Resp: Psalm 1:1-4,6; Gospel: Luke 11:42-46 There are false Christians (see 2 Cor 11:26). Like the moon, these Christians may reflect just enough of the light of Christ to attract others. What little light they reflect may attract some who seek escape from the darkness of sin (see 2 Cor 11:13-15). However, these false Christians are like a “bug-zapper” light. If those unfortunate, searching souls get too close to the false Christians, their fledgling faith...

THE 90% CONGREGATION

“Where are the other nine?” –Luke 17:17 Mass Readings: October 9 First: 2 Kings 5:14-17; Resp: Psalm 98:1-4; Second: 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Gospel: Luke 17:11-19 The Samaritan leper ignores Jesus’ command to go show himself to the priest. He follows his heart and not Jesus’ order. In so doing, he commits an act of “religious disobedience.” Presumably, when told to go his way by Jesus (Lk 17:19), he does follow Jesus’ command and shows himself to the priests. This was the prescription given for healed lepers in the law of Moses (Lv 13:9-13). Jesus approves of a grateful heart, telling...

BLESSED DISCIPLESHIP

“Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” –Luke 11:28 Mass Readings: October 8 First: Galatians 3:22-29; Resp: Psalm 105:2-7; Gospel: Luke 11:27-28 Mary prophesied that all ages would call her blessed (Lk 1:48). This prophecy was fulfilled when a woman cried out to Jesus: “Blest is the womb that bore You and the breasts that nursed You!” (Lk 11:27) Jesus replied that Mary and each of us are blessed by being disciples of Jesus, that is, those “who hear the word of God and keep it” (Lk 11:28). Being a disciple of Jesus means being...