Committed relationships are the essence of Christianity. The Father "so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (Jn 3:16). Jesus is our Blood-brother, Who sealed His covenant with us by His blood shed on Calvary. The Spirit is committed to us in that He lives within us as His temple (1 Cor 6:19). We respond to God's love by committing ourselves to Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God. Through Jesus we commit ourselves to the Father, and live no longer for ourselves but for Him (2 Cor 5:15).
Then the Lord calls us to covenant with others. Some are called to covenant in the sacrament of marriage. The two "become as one. They are no longer two but one flesh" (Mk 10:8). God joins them together inseparably (Mk 10:9).
All are called to covenant with other Christians. With some, we are called to a special unity. Every Paul has his Barnabas or Silas, every David his Jonathan (2 Sm 1:26). We should be very careful about these special Christian friendships but also open to them. God's word teaches: "Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him" (Sir 6:6-7). But God's word also promises: "A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds" (Sir 6:15-16).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be a true brother or sister to a Christian from a different race. |
| PROMISE: | "A kind mouth multiplies friends." –Sir 6:5 |
| PRAISE: | Henry and his family travelled halfway around the world to join Presentation Ministries' community. |
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