Many people have crucifixes on their walls, in their pockets, in their purses, or around their necks. Usually at the top of this crucifix are the letters I. N. R. I. This stands for "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." On Calvary, hardly anyone believed this inscription. In fact, "the chief priests of the Jews tried to tell Pilate...‘This man claimed to be King of the Jews' " (Jn 19:21).
What about you? Do you believe the letters on your crucifix? Or are the letters I.N.R.I. just an inscription to which you've never paid any attention? If you decide to take your crucifix seriously and be a faithful subject of King Jesus, you must:
Are you willing to accept Jesus as your King? If so, kneel down before Him now and give Your most precious gifts to Him (see Mt 2:11). Give your whole life to King Jesus. Start talking to Jesus. Ask Him to show you Who He is. Begin to repent. Keep talking to Jesus until you can again honestly see or carry a crucifix not out of habit but out of love.
| PRAYER: | King Jesus, I bend my knee and will to Your will and kingdom (see Phil 2:10). |
| PROMISE: | "In [Jesus] everything continues in being." –Col 1:17 |
| PRAISE: | "Sing praise to God, sing praise; Sing praise to our King, sing praise. For King of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise" (Ps 47:7-8, NAB). |
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