The Israelites were a worshipping people. They celebrated the Passover for seven days, and Pentecost, New Year's Day, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths for eight days. Counting travel time, the Israelites would spend over a month of the year in communal worship. The Lord did not call the Israelites to fit worshipping Him into their daily life, but to fit their daily activity into their worship. The Lord called the Israelites to live for worship.
In the new covenant, God's emphasis on worship is even greater. The Father is seeking authentic worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23). He created and re-created us to worship Him. Our bodies, minds, and spirits are custom-made to worship the Lord. Almost all of our earthly activities will soon pass away, but worship is forever.
Begin to make communal worship not part of your life, but your entire life. Celebrate Mass daily or as often as possible. Center your life on celebrating Sunday each week. Praise God vocally, silently, individually, communally, daily, in song, and in tongues. Consider praying the psalms daily according to the pattern of the Liturgy of the Hours. Celebrate the holy days and feast days of the Church. Praise and worship the Lord!
| PRAYER: | Father, increase my love for You so much that I overflow with worship (see Lk 6:45). |
| PROMISE: | "Where did this Man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?" –Mt 13:54 |
| PRAISE: | St. Ignatius founded the Jesuit order. His work bore such fruit that, in his own lifetime, the Jesuits grew to over one thousand priests. |
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