Jesus didn't encourage the man who had "blessings in reserve for years to come" (Lk 12:19). Instead, He called him a fool (Lk 12:20). Jesus usually calls us to live from "day to day." He taught us to pray: "Give us today our daily bread" (Mt 6:11). Similarly, after the Exodus the Lord commanded His people not to save the manna for the next day, except for the Sabbath. When some people disobeyed Him, that which they had saved "became wormy and rotten" (Ex 16:20).
Some people are terrified by the prospect of not having anything saved up in the bank. What if an emergency occurs? What about retirement? What if they get sick? However, we should rejoice that our heavenly Father has committed Himself to provide for us on a daily basis. This means that every day we will see with our own eyes our Father faithfully and tenderly providing for us, His children. This daily experience of being fathered will help us bond deeply with our Father. Then we will become secure, peaceful, confident, carefree, affirmed, and joyful. Know our Father's love. Then instead of saying "What if?", you'll be saying "What a mighty God!"
| PRAYER: | "Our Father in heaven...give us today our daily bread" (Mt 6:9, 11). |
| PROMISE: | "He was strengthened in faith and gave glory to God, fully persuaded that God could do whatever He had promised." –Rm 4:20-21 |
| PRAISE: | While being martyred by being fed to lions, St. Ignatius prayed that he become the immaculate bread of Christ. |
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