When asked by Joshua to be faithful to God, the Israelites three times said they would "serve the Lord" (Jos 24:18, 21, 24). St. Peter also promised three times to serve Jesus by feeding His sheep (Jn 21:15, 16, 17).
For most of us, at our Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and wedding, we promised in some way to serve the Lord. We said "Yes," and we meant it as best as we could at the time. On our wedding day, we say, "Yes," we will be open to conceiving children and letting the children come to Jesus by raising them in the faith of the Church (see Mt 19:14).
Joshua provides a reality check. He doesn't believe a "Yes" so readily. He observes that it is not easy to serve the Lord. God is holy, and we are frequently pressured by the cares and worries of this world (Mk 4:19). Jesus likewise provides a reality check. He observes that not everyone who says "Yes" to the Father actually does His will (Mt 21:28-32).
The Lord delights in commitment, obedience, and surrender. However, there is a cost to serving the Lord. To say "Yes" to Him, we must often say "No" to ourselves. Follow Him, deny yourself, and persevere in following Him to the very end (Lk 21:19).
| PRAYER: | Father, give me the grace to let my "Yes" truly mean "Yes" (Mt 5:37; Jas 5:12). |
| PROMISE: | "Let the children come to Me. Do not hinder them. The kingdom of God belongs to such as these." –Mt 19:14 |
| PRAISE: | St. John Eudes worked to teach the clergy and also to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. |
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