As the prophet Hosea says, God plans to woo us into the desert (Hos 2:16). The din of the world must be ejected from our lives so we can hear God in the silence and respond to His love (Hos 2:17). Today's Gospel shows that once the din of the crowd had been "put out," healing and resurrection could take place in an atmosphere of faith (Mt 9:23ff).
What do you need to remove from your life today? Is it your TV or handheld electronic device? Is it a cynical mindset, a judgmental attitude, or even friendships which lead you away from the Lord? (see 1 Cor 15:33) Until we discard all the clutter, we will not be traveling light enough to walk with Jesus.
"Have no love for the world, nor the things that the world affords. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love has no place in him, for nothing that the world affords comes from the Father. Carnal allurements, enticements for the eye, the life of empty show — all these are from the world. And the world with its seductions is passing away" (1 Jn 2:15-17). Get rid of all that leads you away from the Lord (Mt 9:25). Then "put out" into the deep, trusting fully in Jesus (Lk 5:4).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I surrender all to You. I ask You to take from me what I cannot yet give fully to You. Grant me an insatiable desire to place my life into Your hands. |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness." –Ps 145:8 |
| PRAISE: | Dan was drawn to follow Jesus more closely when he observed the love and joy of God in a fellow teen. Shortly after, Dan began volunteering with a ministry to young adults. |
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