Jesus is the Founder, Head, and Gate of the Church. If a person does not enter the Church through Jesus but climbs in some other way, that person will tend to be "a thief and a marauder" (Jn 10:1). For example, if a person entered into leadership of the Church primarily through the gates of education, giftedness, or popularity, that person's leadership will probably hurt the Church. Leaders need to be chosen by Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the Gate. How many organists, liturgists, DREs, youth directors, pastoral associates, members of parish councils, committee heads, etc., have entered into their positions in the Church through gates other than Jesus?
We can apply this more personally by recognizing our families as "domestic Churches." Has every family activity, decision, TV program, and purchase entered your life through Jesus, the Gate? Does this explain how Dad's joy, Mom's peace, and the children's faith have been stolen?
Jesus will only be the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6) for us if He is the Gateway. When Jesus is the Gateway, He is the Truth Who sets us free from lying thieves (see Jn 8:32) and Who gives us life to the full (Jn 10:10).
| PRAYER: | Father, I accept Your grace to make Jesus the only Gate into my life. |
| PROMISE: | "God has granted life-giving repentance even to the Gentiles." –Acts 11:18 |
| PRAISE: | Teenage Juan persuaded his family to pray a daily rosary. |
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