DISCIPLESHIP IS A BEAR
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” –John 16:12
Several decades ago, I began my computer programming career. During my first month on the job, so much new information came my way that I left work each day with a headache from information overload. I learned much daily, yet my boss had a great deal more to teach me, and I couldn’t bear it yet. Likewise, schools separate students into twelve grades. High-school subjects are not taught to first-graders; they aren’t mentally ready for that yet.
Besides being mentally unable to bear information, people may not be emotionally ready for certain information. For example, Jesus had just told His apostles He would be leaving them. He could see they were grieving His departure (Jn 16:5-6) and realized that they couldn’t bear any further revelations (Jn 16:12).
Finally, we may not be ready spiritually to bear God’s revelation. If we live in sin, our spiritual hearing is blocked and our hearts are too hardened to receive what Jesus wants to tell us. Like the Corinthians, we may be immature Christians not yet committed to growing in discipleship. Though we should be able to bear solid teaching by now, the Lord has to feed us spiritual milk, for we are still infants in Christ living at the level of the flesh (1 Cor 3:1-3).
God insists upon repentance (Acts 17:30). Repent of all sin and of any stifling of the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 5:19). Abide in God’s Word (Jn 8:31) and in the Mass. Bear the Good News. Bear great fruit for Jesus.
PRAYER: Jesus, enlarge me so I can bear more for You (Acts 20:32; 2 Tm 2:20-22). “Speak, for Your servant is listening” (1 Sm 3:10).
PROMISE: “In Him we live and move and have our being.” –Acts 17:28
PRAISE: Three children in Fatima, Portugal told about a lady they met one day, and their openness to share this revelation changed their nation and the Church.
O God, who chose the Mother of your Son to be our Mother also, grant us that, persevering in penance and prayer for the salvation of the world, we may further more effectively each day the reign of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
