DYING TO LIVE

“He named twelve as His companions whom He would send to preach the good news; they were likewise to have authority to expel demons.” –Mark 3:14-15

This week we are involved in a series of celebrations of those who suffered bloody martyrdoms for Jesus. Saints Fabian, Sebastian, Agnes, and Vincent followed in Jesus’ footsteps, choosing to be killed rather than kill. Today we also recall the most disastrous judicial decision in American history, the legalizing of abortion in the United States on January 22, 1973. At this moment, the Lord challenges us to choose life (Dt 30:19-20).

However, to choose life for others we must often choose death for ourselves. Jesus chose to die so that we, once His enemies, could live and become His friends (Jn 15:14, 15; cf Rm 5:10). We must choose to die to self so others can live, to be transformed from death-dealing to self-dying.

At least half the apostles were into violence, hatred, and murder. Peter attacked Malchus with a sword (Jn 18:10). John and James wanted to burn a city of Samaritans (Lk 9:54). Bartholomew (Nathanael) was a bigot (Jn 1:46). Matthew the tax collector possibly used extortion to help him collect taxes. Simon the Zealot was a member of a violent, revolutionary group. (Today we would call them terrorists.) Nonetheless, Jesus changed these violent people. He will change us, if we’re willing to die to ourselves and repent, so that others may live.

PRAYER: Father, use my life and death to save the lives of children in the womb.
PROMISE: “He is Mediator of a better covenant.” –Heb 8:6
PRAISE: Lord God, we give thanks and praise for the women who choose the option of adoption rather than abortion.