A flood came in the time of Noah. "In the days before the flood people were eating and drinking, marrying and being married, right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They were totally unconcerned until the flood came and destroyed them" (Mt 24:38-39). Only Noah was ready, for he had been listening to the Lord (Gn 7:1-5).
Jesus speaks of the "torrents" to come in the lives of each one of us (Mt 7:25, 27). These could be destroying floods (Gn 7:11ff), but they don't have to be. Our very lives depend upon listening to the Lord and heeding His voice (Mt 7:21). If today we hear His voice, we must not harden or turn away our hearts (Ps 95:7-8). To survive these torrents, we must listen to Jesus' words and change our lives to build them upon the rock-solid foundation of the Word of God, and on the Church Jesus founded on the rock of St. Peter (Mt 16:18).
People were not ready at the first coming of Christ (see Is 50:2). Scripture repeatedly warns us to be ready for His Second Coming (see e.g. Mt 24:42, 48-50). When should we be ready? "Now is the acceptable time!" (2 Cor 6:2) "Delay not your conversion to the Lord" (Sir 5:8). Listen daily to the Word of God.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I take Your warnings in Scripture far more seriously than any other warnings. |
| PROMISE: | "A nation of firm purpose You keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in You." –Is 26:3 |
| PRAISE: | St. Ambrose, referring to Scripture, wrote: "He who is full, refreshes others." Full of the Spirit himself, St. Ambrose refreshed St. Augustine greatly as Augustine converted from his sinful lifestyle to become a Doctor of the Catholic Church. |
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