In the old covenant, we could be born and only later die (Eccl 3:2). However, in the new covenant, when we believe in Jesus, we die to self (Jn 12:24) and are born again at the same time (see Jn 3:3, 5). Moreover, in Jesus, seeking and losing are not necessarily opposites (see Eccl 3:6). Only when we lose our lives (Lk 9:24) can we seek first God's kingdom (Mt 6:33). Also, love and hate are not always opposites (Eccl 3:8). We hate sin because we love sinners and especially because we love God. Finally, because Jesus is our Peace (Eph 2:14), we have a peace beyond understanding (Phil 4:7). Our peace is not incompatible with war (Eccl 3:8). Rather, we have peace in the midst of a spiritual war (Eph 6:12; Rv 19:14ff).
Because of sin, creation and our human nature are fallen. Our hearts are restless. We struggle with inner conflicts (Jas 4:1). In the old covenant, "all the works of the Most High...come in pairs, the one the opposite of the other" (Sir 33:15). In the new covenant, Jesus has destroyed "the devil's works" (1 Jn 3:8) and has reconciled "everything in His Person, both on earth and in the heavens" (Col 1:20). "All this has been done by God, Who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I give my life to You. |
| PROMISE: | The Son of Man "must first endure many sufferings, be rejected by the elders, the high priests and the scribes, and be put to death, and then be raised up on the third day." –Lk 9:22 |
| PRAISE: | St. Lawrence told his executioners: "I am a Christian. I shall die for God, and for Him I would give many thousands of lives, so do with me what you please." |
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