The Lord commands every Christian to be submissive to God-given authority (Eph 5:21). Wives are to be prime examples of this submission. They are to teach all Christians the peace, joy, freedom, and disciplines of submission (see Eph 5:22).
Submission is not a man-made idea but a gift of God. Thus, God revealed to St. Paul to submit his ministry and preaching to the authority of the leaders of the Jerusalem church (Gal 2:1-2). In Paul's submission, he received affirmation from the Jerusalem leaders and also "the handclasp of fellowship" (Gal 2:9). Submission leads to affirmation and community. In effect, submission leads to peace and love.
Submission has such good effects not primarily because of the excellence of the people in authority. For example, Cephas, that is, St. Peter, one of the Jerusalem leaders, blundered greatly in Antioch through his duplicity in his relations with Jewish and Gentile Christians (Gal 2:11ff). Submission works because God makes it work even when those in authority don't work out very well.
Submission is a "sure thing" because God backs up His plans. Be submissive and rejoice.
| PRAYER: | Father, free me from co-dependency and for submission. |
| PROMISE: | "Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins for we too forgive all who do us wrong." –Lk 11:3-4 |
| PRAISE: | St. Denis and two companions were beheaded for their faith during a persecution of Christians in Paris. Their bodies were thrown into the Seine River and later drawn out of the water by fellow Christians. Praise You, Lord, for immersing and burying our old nature in the waters of Baptism, and drawing us into new life and resurrection with Jesus! St. Denis, pray for us. |
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