Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

EXALTATIONS

“Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know I am with you.” –Joshua 3:7 The Lord exalts Christian parents so that their children will listen to them and be disciples for Jesus. The Lord also exalts godly workers so that they will have the influence to impact the secular world with the Gospel. The Lord exalts humble pastors and leaders so that people will follow them into the promised land (see Mt 23:12). The Lord exalts us by doing miracles through us. For example, Moses called down ten plagues on Egypt...

WELL-VERSED?

“If your brother should sin against you, go correct him.” –Matthew 18:15, our transl. Baptized Christians are our brothers and sisters, whether or not we realize this. If they commit a sin against us, we must forgive and correct them, “but keep it between the two” of us (Mt 18:15). Lamentably, although this first step in reconciliation works most of the time, it is not done very often. Notice this command applies to brothers and sisters in Christ, not to unbaptized people. We must forgive, pray for (1 Jn 5:16), and evangelize the unbaptized, but we may not always be...

VULNERABLE

“It is the Lord Who marches before you; He will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.” –Deuteronomy 31:8 Jesus insisted we “change and become like little children” (Mt 18:3). We are tempted to disobey this command because we know little children are vulnerable and often abused. However, Jesus gave His little children some protection by encouraging everyone to welcome them. He said: “Whoever welcomes one such child for My sake welcomes Me” (Mt 18:5). He also provides guardian angels for His little vulnerable ones (Mt 18:10). Furthermore, Jesus...

THE SCHOOL OF GIVING

“Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever.” –Psalm 112:9 St. Lawrence resembled God in his giving. God loves us so much that He gave His Son for our salvation (Jn 3:16). Lawrence loved the poor so much that he gave the church’s treasures to them and even gave his life for them and for Jesus. On this special feast day, the Lord may give us a special grace to grow in giving in several ways: Amount: How much are you giving to build God’s kingdom on earth? After your tithe, what percent of your income do...

A valuable secret…

Philippians 4:12-13 12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (WEB) When we usually quote verse 13 of this passage of Scripture, we seldom include the previous verse. When we declare… ‘I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me’, we are typically referring to something other than contentment. While it is true that this...