A GOD-SEND
“I solemnly assure you, he who accepts anyone I send accepts Me, and in accepting Me accepts Him Who sent Me.” –John 13:20
We accept Jesus and God the Father by accepting those whom Jesus sends to us. Jesus has sent us His Body, the Church. He has sent us the bishops and the Pope as leaders of the Church. The members of our parish are “God-sent.” He has sent the members of our families into our lives. Our neighbors and co-workers are “heaven-sent.” Even some of our enemies are sent by Jesus.
Consequently, we accept Jesus and the Father by:
- loving and obeying His Church,
- knowing and serving our fellow parishioners,
- laying down our lives for the members of our family,
- loving our co-workers and neighbors as ourselves (see Mt 22:39), and
- forgiving, loving, and even dying for our enemies (see Lk 6:27-35).
Accepting Jesus is not an isolated decision. To accept Jesus is to take all our relationships to a new level. To accept Jesus is to enter a new dimension of humanly impossible, unconditional, crucified love. To accept Jesus is a grace, miracle, and privilege. Accept Jesus — on His terms.
PRAYER: Father, teach me to love.
PROMISE: “The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness.” –Ps 89:2
PRAISE: Sts. Nereus and Achilleus were the Roman emperor’s bodyguards, soldiers of the Praetorian Guard. Centuries later, Pope St. Damasus memorialized their conversion and martyrdom.
