It takes everything we've got to live the Christian life. If we don't make our relationship with Jesus our "all in all" (see Lk 14:26), if we don't take up His cross daily (Lk 9:23; 14:27), if we don't renounce all our possessions (Lk 14:33), we will not have what it takes to build the tower (Lk 14:28), fight the war (Lk 14:31), or run the race of the Christian life (2 Tm 4:7). If we successfully complete the Christian life, we will have crossed the finish line with nothing to spare. It takes every ounce of strength, every second of time, and our last penny — all that we have. "Our God is a consuming Fire" (Heb 12:29). If we give anything less than everything, we will fall short of what is necessary to obtain the kingdom of God (Mt 13:44-46).
Therefore, amazed that the Lord would accept our little "everythings," let us pour out our lives "like a libation" (see 2 Tm 4:6). Let us love Jesus as He loves us — with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our strength, and with all our minds (Lk 10:27). With great joy and thanksgiving, let us give the Lord our "all"; constantly, daily, till our dying day. Let us drain our lives to the last drop in imitation of Jesus, Who poured out His blood and life for love of us.
PRAYER: | Father, use me and use me up. |
PROMISE: | "Owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." –Rm 13:8 |
PRAISE: | Fr. John served the Church for over sixty years, well past "retirement." He served the Lord with gladness all his days (Ps 100:2). |
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