Jesus miraculously and instantaneously healed a leper and then gave him a stern warning not to tell anyone (Mk 1:43-44). The man promptly and completely disobeyed Jesus and began to publicize the whole matter (Mk 1:45). This casual attitude toward disobedience has been the curse of the human race from Adam and Eve to the last person going to hell.
All of us recognize this casual attitude toward disobedience in other people. We chide or condemn those who disobey in areas where we may be obeying. Nonetheless, we probably harbor a casual attitude toward disobedience in our own ways. For example, do we obey the Lord by taking up our daily cross (Lk 9:23), tithing, submitting to authority, sacrificing, telling the truth, avoiding occasions of sin, or evangelizing? These commandments are not options, but they are widely ignored.
The fact that the majority of Catholics in the Western world miss Mass on Sundays is symptomatic of a culture of rebellion. The fact that so many contracept shows that we don't just have a problem but a whole culture of death.
When our obedience is complete, however, we have the authority to bring down Satan's strongholds and make every thought captive to Christ (2 Cor 10:4-6). Otherwise, we are trapped in disobedience. For God's sake, and for your sake, obey!
| PRAYER: | Father, teach me obedience, even through suffering if necessary (see Heb 5:8). |
| PROMISE: | "Encourage yourselves daily while it is still 'today,' so that no one grows hardened by the deceit of sin." –Heb 3:13 |
| PRAISE: | St. Anthony's holiness attracted others, who joined him and became known as the Desert Fathers. |
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