Nineveh, a murderous city of 120,000 people, converted after hearing the prophetic warning of Jonah (see Jon 4:11). Do you believe that there are cities in the world today which would repent en masse if someone would only speak God's Word to them?
Saul was the worst sinner in history (1 Tm 1:15), a fierce persecutor of the Church (Acts 22:4; 26:10-11), and an accomplice in murdering the first Christian martyr (Acts 8:1; 1 Tm 1:13). Probably no one believed he would convert, become a great Christian missionary, and write much of the New Testament. But he did!
Miraculous mass conversions all around us are just waiting to happen, if only a Jonah or Ananias (Acts 9:10ff) would obey God. A person, city, or nation may reject God five-thousand times. Yet who knows if the next time will be the time of conversion? We'll never know unless someone tries.
When we stand before the Lord on Judgment Day, we will not be judged on how many converts we made but on how many opportunities to share Jesus we seized or missed. The Church teaches: "The true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers...or to the faithful" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 905).
"Listen to what I say: open your eyes and see! The fields are shining for harvest!" (Jn 4:35) Share your love. Share Jesus. You'll be surprised!
| PRAYER: | Father, may the love of Christ impel me (2 Cor 5:14). |
| PROMISE: | "She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and listened to His words." –Lk 10:39 |
| PRAISE: | Although once a drug dealer and ex-con, Lou now works to redirect young men to 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