Jesus' hometown folk accepted Him as Teacher (see Lk 4:22ff). But Jesus wanted to serve His hometown by being a Prophet. However, "no prophet gains acceptance in his native place" (Lk 4:24). Like the people of Nazareth, many of us also refuse to accept Jesus on His terms.
Soon, on the first day of the Easter season, all Catholics of the world will be given the opportunity and the challenge to renew their baptismal promises. The heart of these promises is to accept Jesus on His terms. Jesus' terms are focused on the cross. Jesus wants us to come to Him first of all to carry the crosses of repentance, forgiveness, sacrifice, evangelization, service, persecution, and other forms of love. While Jesus wants to bless us with happiness, success, and healing, He usually wants to give these blessings to His disciples in the shadow of the cross.
Will we accept Jesus on His terms? Will we resolve to know nothing "but Jesus Christ and Him crucified"? (1 Cor 2:2) Will we decide to carry our crosses daily? (see Lk 9:23) Or will we try to throw Jesus over "the brow of the hill" (Lk 4:29), re-crucify Him, and hold Him up to contempt? (Heb 6:6)
| PRAYER: | Father, send the Holy Spirit to convict me (see Jn 16:8) of the sin of trying to make Jesus in my image. |
| PROMISE: | "So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." –2 Kgs 5:14 |
| PRAISE: | St. John of God didn't discover true faith until his early forties. He first endured many self-inflicted penances, repenting for his past life. Later he was inspired to look outward and care for the sick. |
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