In our fast-paced culture, we are very interested in quickness — quick service, quick relief, quick loans, etc. The Lord is also interested in quickness, but in other ways. He demands quick reconciliation (Mt 5:25), offers quick healings, and expects quick obedience. However, we are often slow of heart to believe (Lk 24:25), dragging our heels, holding our grudges, grinding our axes, licking our wounds, or involved in other delaying tactics. If we were only quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (Jas 1:19) instead of just the opposite! If only we were quick as the Lord is quick and slow as He is slow instead of being warped by the ways of the world! (see 2 Pt 3:9)
Let's begin to restore God's timing and rhythm to our lives by accepting the grace to forgive seventy times seven times immediately (see Mt 18:22). Then let's go to Confession and repent of being slow to obey, that is, of being disobedient. If we quickly obey Dr. Jesus' orders, we may find that our healings fit more the pattern we see in the New Testament.
Next, let's make Sunday truly a day of rest when we slow down our speech, anger, and lifestyles. Let's quiet down as we slow down so that we can respond to the quickening of God's grace in us.
| PRAYER: | Father, slow me down to speed me up. |
| PROMISE: | "The hand of the Lord was on Elijah." –1 Kgs 18:46 |
| PRAISE: | St. Anthony once preached in a town which refused to listen to God's Word. He then told the townspeople that their fish would receive the Word better than they. As he preached at the riverbank, a great crowd of fish gathered, rose to the surface of the water, and listened to God's Word. The townspeople repented and were converted. |
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