The Mass readings this week have been talking about being "born again," begotten from above (see Jn 3:5). Just as an infant needs to be taught how to live in a new world, so "newborn" Christians need to be nurtured and taught. Thus, the angel commands the apostles to teach "the people all about this new life" (Acts 5:20).
Parents, do you remember when your newborn infant was delivered in the hospital room? The baby had never seen any light. Out of compassion, the hospital staff kept the lights dim in the birthing room, for even a dim light caused the infant to close its eyes tightly. The infant prefers darkness to light (see Jn 3:19). Infants need time, love, and instruction in order to adjust to living in the light.
Today's Gospel proclaims that those living without Jesus prefer the darkness, even if the darkness makes them miserable (Jn 3:20). Potential Christians likewise need time, love, and instruction in order to learn how to live in the light. A doctor "delivers" a newborn infant. In a similar way, you are called to a "deliverance" ministry. The Lord is sending you to be like the medical personnel and hospital staff. You may be called to teach, mentor, love, or simply to keep a dim light present in a person's life so they can learn to gradually adjust their spiritual eyes to a seemingly frightening world of light (see Is 9:1). Therefore, go out and take your place and teach the people all about this new life (see Acts 5:20).
| PRAYER: | Father, use me to bring thousands of people "from darkness into [Your] marvelous light" (1 Pt 2:9). |
| PROMISE: | "God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." –Jn 3:17 |
| PRAISE: | Don so closely followed the promptings of the Spirit that he spread God's love throughout the Midwestern United States. |
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