Yesterday was Sunday, when Catholics are obliged to worship Jesus in Mass. Many people saw Jesus yesterday. Since a sizable percentage of registered Catholics fail to believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, many people who actually received His body and blood yesterday failed to recognize Him. Did you miss Jesus when you saw Him, or did you recognize Him?
Jesus is not easy to recognize. Even His relative, John the Baptizer, did not recognize Him (Jn 1:31, 33). In today's Gospel reading, both the just and the unjust saw Jesus, but failed to recognize Him (Mt 25:37, 44). Amazingly, the just actively served Him, but still missed Him! This should give pause to us who are His disciples. How many times did we fail to recognize Jesus this week?
Jesus might not be easy to recognize now, but no one will miss Him on Judgment Day. On that day, "every eye shall see Him, even of those who" have rejected Him (Rv 1:7). Finally, a day will come when we won't miss seeing Him, but then the season of mercy will be over, and it will be too late to repent.
Therefore, repent today. Confess your sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Serve Jesus in the poor, the downtrodden, the co-worker, the starving, the persecuted, and your enemies (see Mt 25:35-36). "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Lv 19:18). You may miss recognizing Jesus, even as you serve Him, but you won't miss out on being with Him forever in the ecstasy of heaven.
| PRAYER: | "Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before You, O Lord, my Rock" (Ps 19:15). |
| PROMISE: | "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul." –Ps 19:8 |
| PRAISE: | A friend's funeral made Joan realize that without God she too was under a death sentence. She reformed her life and returned to Church. |
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