Tagged: Daily Promises

DISAPPEARING INTO GREATNESS

“I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals on His feet.” —Acts 13:25 The meaning of St. John the Baptizer’s life is like the meaning of the lives of Mary, the canonized saints, and ourselves. Their lives are related to the life and mission of Jesus. Therefore, everything about John points to Jesus. John was conceived in relation to Jesus’ conception (see Lk 1:36). John was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb of Elizabeth (Lk 1:15) because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary (Lk 1:35). John’s birthday points to Jesus’ birthday. John was like Elijah...

ROAD-KILL?

“The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it.” –Matthew 7:13 If you could look into the faces and the hearts of people who were traveling in danger of damnation, what would you do? Some of them could even be your family members, friends, and co-workers. Do you love these people? Do you love them enough to expose yourself to rejection and persecution from them? If you saw someone driving on a road which abruptly ended at a cliff, if you saw car after car go over the cliff, if you...

CAUSE AND EFFECT

“They did not listen…they rejected [God’s] statutes…and the warnings which He had given them.” –2 Kings 17:14-15 The Israelites experienced the consequences of rejecting God thousands of years ago, and modern society is following the same path. If the causes are similar, the results may be as well. • Persist in sin, and receive the wages of sin: death (Rm 6:23). • Condemn others, even silently, and be condemned (Mt 7:2). • Fail to give alms, and cause others to suffer (Sir 14:4-9). • Fail to evangelize, and reap a godless society. • Put your trust in contraception and reap...

LIVING VICTORIOUSLY THE LIFE OF DAILY FEARS

“Do not fear those who deprive the body of life but cannot destroy the soul.” —Matthew 10:28 The Lord has commanded us 365 times in the Scriptures: “Do not fear” (Mt 10:28, 31, our transl). By this command, the Lord means that we should not fear any human being, human circumstance, or even the devil. We should not fear death, dying, pain, persecution, rejection, loneliness, poverty, old age, having a large family, evangelizing, going to Confession, being a priest, religious, or missionary, tithing and giving alms, downsizing our lifestyles, etc. The Lord commands us so frequently not to fear because...

FAITHFUL TILL DEATH?

“After the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and the king then listened to them. They forsook the temple of the Lord.” —2 Chronicles 24:17-18 After the death of Jehoiada the priest, the Israelites forsook the temple of the Lord and served false gods. After a change of pastors, some parishioners don’t go to church as much anymore. After young people leave home, many leave the practice of their faith. After Christians are rejected by fellow parishioners, some drop out of ministry or become less active in their churches. Our faith in...