Tagged: memory verse

“The man who had been possessed was pressing to accompany” Jesus. –Mark 5:18 Some people will do anything for Jesus. They have “endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point” (Heb 11:36-37). Other people will throw Jesus out of town just because He had something to do with their losing a few thousand pork chops, pounds of bacon, and hams (Mk 5:17). Most people, even Christians, do not see themselves as extremely in love or in hate with Jesus. They don’t see themselves as martyrs because they often put...

“How blest are the…” —Matthew 5:3 Jesus said that happiness is: 1) deciding to be materially poor, at least in some areas of our lives (see Mt 5:3), 2) sorrowing for our sins (see Mt 5:4), 3) humbling ourselves by taking the lowest places (see Mt 5:5; Lk 14:10), 4) desiring holiness more than pleasure, comfort, or prestige (see Mt 5:6), 5) giving up our rights in order to show others mercy (see Mt 5:7), 6) making the Lord the only Desire of our hearts (Mt 5:8), 7) making peace by shedding our own blood rather than that of our...

“Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see.” —Hebrews 11:1 We are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). “All depends on faith, everything is grace” (Rm 4:16). Therefore, faith in the Lord is absolutely necessary. However, this presents a problem because we are lacking in faith (see Mk 4:40). Jesus asks: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?” (Lk 18:8) We must cry out to the Lord: “I do believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:24, RNAB) “Faith is confident assurance” (Heb 11:1). It...

“I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One that makes us strong, loving, and wise.” –2 Timothy 1:6-7 Most of us reading this are baptized and confirmed. Therefore, we already have the Holy Spirit living in us (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1303). This indwelling of the Spirit should make us ever more desirous to receive the Spirit in new and deeper ways, since the Spirit always seeks deeper union with the Father and the Son....

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation.” – Mark 16:15 If we believe in the Good News of Jesus and accept Baptism, we will be saved (Mk 16:16). If we refuse to believe, we will be condemned in hell forever (see Mk 16:16; Jn 5:27-29). Believing in Jesus’ Good News is the most important reality of our lives. Believing the Good News is so important that: If we’ve done everything but believe the Good News, our lives are tragic and damnable. The Lord works amazing signs to accompany the proclamation of the Good News...