We deserve nothing good from the Lord God. He has been extraordinarily generous to us in giving us life, forgiving our sins, atoning for them through the blood of His cross, and offering us eternal life with Him. Our fundamental stance toward the Lord must always be turning to Him for mercy — for ourselves and for others. Otherwise, we might become envious because He is generous (Mt 20:15).
Possibly we might have been given the health to work, the grace to serve God, the spiritual gifts to teach, heal, and witness. Thus we serve God readily, in talent and in strength. But what do we have that we have not received? If we have received it, why are we boasting as if it were our own? (1 Cor 4:7) God graces us to work for all acts of service, whether it is for a long time or a short time (Mt 20:12ff). All good gifts come from the Father above (see Jas 1:17). Even the desire to work and serve comes directly from God (Phil 2:13).
We might look good to others in a few areas of our service. But there will be numerous areas of our lives in which we desperately need the mercy of God. God's ways are far above our ways (Is 55:9). Let's make a practice of reacting to everything by abandoning ourselves to God's mercy (see Lk 18:13-14).
| PRAYER: | Father, thank You forever for all You have done for me. I will take up the cup of salvation, the Eucharist, as my act of gratitude to You (Ps 116:12-13). |
| PROMISE: | "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord." –Is 55:8 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, risen Source of all grace and merciful Judge! |
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