When Jesus comes back today or later, what will you be doing? Will you be quarreling with the other servants of Jesus (Lk 12:45) or dispensing the "ration of grain in season"? (Lk 12:42) Will you be feeding His sheep (Jn 21:17) with God's Word? (Mt 4:4) Will you be sharing your faith in Jesus?
The Lord has given us so much. Many of us are privileged to receive daily in Holy Communion the Gift of gifts, Jesus Christ, God Himself. The Lord has made us new creations by His death and resurrection. The Holy Trinity even lives within us. "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man" (1 Cor 2:9) what God has already done for us.
"When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted" (Lk 12:48). The Lord, out of love for a lost world, rightly expects us to share our faith at every opportunity (see 1 Pt 3:15). On Judgment Day, He will hold us accountable for doing this. When He returns, He will expect to see us dispensing the grain, feeding the sheep, sharing our faith.
Most of you have heard this message before. This is not the first time you have read today's Gospel reading. However, you may not have obeyed it. Repent, ask for the Holy Spirit, and give people the opportunity to hear about, know, and love Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, I will not deceive myself by only hearing Your word but not doing it (Jas 1:22). |
| PROMISE: | "Through the Church, God's manifold wisdom is made known to the principalities and powers of heaven, in accord with His age-old purpose, carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord." –Eph 3:10-11 |
| PRAISE: | Living a life of love for Christ, St. Anthony wrote and published almost two-hundred spiritual books or pamphlets throughout the years of his apostolate. |
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