God's first words to humanity were "Be fertile" (Gn 1:28). These were also His words to Noah after the flood (Gn 9:1). God is saying the same thing to us today (cf Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8). He is the God of life. He is Life itself (Jn 14:6). He wants big, happy families. He does not want us artificially meddling with His creation and interfering with His development of the human person.
The Lord wants us to be not only life-giving but also "new life"-giving. He desires to give not only life to the body but also new life in the Spirit. Whether or not God has given us many natural children, He calls us to bring forth supernatural children to fill all the earth. St. Paul says: "You are my children, and you put me back in labor pains until Christ is formed in you" (Gal 4:19). "It was I who begot you in Christ Jesus through my preaching of the gospel" (1 Cor 4:15).
If we are in unity with Jesus the true Vine, we will automatically be fertile and bear fruit (Jn 15:5). He wants His house full (Lk 14:23). But if we are not life-giving, we may not be alive, but "among the living dead" (1 Jn 3:14).
| PRAYER: | Father, through Your grace, empower me to share the Good News of eternal life with the next person I meet. |
| PROMISE: | " 'And you,' He went on to ask, 'Who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Messiah!' " –Mk 8:29 |
| PRAISE: | Melvin, who opposed Catholic teaching, converted to the Catholic faith after spending a year in the military with a young Catholic sailor who answered all of Melvin's challenges with Scripture references and kindness. |
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