Jeremiah looked at his society and described it as overwhelmed by great destruction (Jer 14:17). He diagnosed it as wounded and incurable (Jer 14:17). Under these circumstances, Jeremiah prayed: "Let my eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest" (Jer 14:17).
Pope St. John Paul II looked at our world and described it as a "culture of death." Although this is even worse than what Jeremiah described, Pope St. John Paul II assured the victory of a civilization of love and life over our "culture of death." Pope St. John Paul II was not naive. He realized the "enormous disparity between the powerful resources available to the forces promoting the ‘culture of death' and the means at the disposal of those working for a ‘culture of life and love' " (The Gospel of Life, 100). However, "we have faith in God our Father and Lord, in His goodness and mercy...God is preparing a great springtime for Christianity" (Mission of the Redeemer, Pope St. John Paul II, 86). Moreover, the "new springtime of Christian life...will be revealed...if Christians are docile to the action of the Holy Spirit" (Toward the Third Millennium, Pope St. John Paul II, 18).
"We are more than conquerors because of Him Who has loved us" (Rm 8:37). Thank You, Jesus!
| PRAYER: | Father, I will cross the threshold of hope. |
| PROMISE: | "Then the saints will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Let everyone heed what he hears!" –Mt 13:43 |
| PRAISE: | Sts. Joachim and Anne, the Blessed Virgin Mary's parents, are grandparents of the Incarnate Word! "Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their parentage" (Prv 17:6). |
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