Many of us can say with Jeremiah: "When I found Your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart" (Jer 15:16). We have felt our hearts burning when the Bible was proclaimed and explained to us (see Lk 24:32).
After receiving God's word, we began to share it with others. Although a few people listened to what we shared, many seemed to ignore us and some were even hostile toward us. We understood what Jesus meant when He said: "I gave them Your word, and the world has hated them for it" (Jn 17:14).
After such an unfavorable reaction to our sharing of the word, we feel like quitting. The Lord understands our sufferings better than does anyone else. He will give us the grace to forgive those who have hurt us and will heal our wounds. However, He won't let us quit. Instead, Jesus will remind us "to stir into flame the gift of God" (2 Tm 1:6). We will be "filled with the Holy Spirit" and continue "to speak God's word with confidence" (Acts 4:31).
Therefore, "in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingly power, I charge you to preach the word, to stay with this task" (2 Tm 4:1-2).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I proclaim Your word under the worst conditions. |
| PROMISE: | "The reign of God is like a buried treasure which a man found in a field. He hid it again, and rejoicing at his find went and sold all he had and bought that field." –Mt 13:44 |
| PRAISE: | St. Peter Chrysologus proclaimed God's word against paganism, growing abuses, and unholiness. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College