The culmination of the Easter season is Pentecost. Pentecost involves both the coming of the Spirit and the birthday of the Church. Those who are committed to the risen Christ and filled with the Spirit love the Church (see Eph 5:25). The Spirit and the Bride (the Church) are of one accord (Rv 22:17).
Jesus loved the Church so much that He died for her (Eph 5:25). The Church is Jesus' body (e.g. 1 Cor 12:12). If one member of the Church suffers, Jesus suffers (1 Cor 12:26). If we hear the Church, we hear Jesus (Lk 10:16). If we reject the Church, we reject Jesus (Lk 10:16). If we fight the Church, we are fighting Jesus, Who is God (Acts 5:39). If we persecute the Church, Jesus says: "Why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4) Jesus identifies with the Church this way because He loves her so much.
Jesus so identifies with the Church that, if you mess with the Church, you mess with Jesus; likewise, if you love the Church, you love Jesus. Love the Church as Jesus does (Eph 5:25), and you are loving Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I love the Church despite her stains and wrinkles (see Eph 5:27). |
| PROMISE: | "Jesus then took the loaves of bread, gave thanks, and passed them around to those reclining there; He did the same with the dried fish, as much as they wanted." –Jn 6:11 |
| PRAISE: | Jim, a security guard at a bank, was ordered by his boss to stop bringing his Bible to work. Jim respectfully refused and continued to read his Bible on his lunch break. A few months later, Jim's boss was fired. |
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