WIDE RECEIVER

“Who is the faithful, farsighted servant whom the Master has put in charge of His household to dispense food at need? Happy that servant whom his Master discovers at work on His return!” –Matthew 24:45-46

By desiring to receive Jesus each day, each hour, each moment into our hearts, we are in position to be ever ready to receive Him when He comes again. It becomes our habit, our nature, to receive Him. If we truly receive Him, we will truly share Him and serve Him, for He lives in us. We will be impelled by this love (2 Cor 5:14-15) and filled with His presence. Out of this fullness, we will be prompted to serve Him by reaching out to others, distributing God’s Word and goods each day, in season and out of season (2 Tm 4:2).

It can be easy to be skeptical of this kind of readiness and fullness. We get tired, distracted, discouraged, and hurt in the journey of discipleship. Then it is time to examine what is impelling us. Are we tired for Jesus? Or are we tired of Jesus? Are we waiting for His coming? Or are we simply waiting for a break from our ministry? The answers to these examinations tell us much about our motivation to serve the Lord.

Daily Mass, daily prayer, and daily Bible reading are excellent ways to receive Jesus daily and prepare for His coming. I can testify to this. For the last 30 years, I’ve been blessed to be able to go to daily Mass, pray daily, and read the Bible daily. One good day receiving Jesus leads to the next good day, month, and year. We soon think more of receiving Jesus and serving Him than we think of anything else.

PRAYER: Come, Lord Jesus. Come every day into my life. Make all things new in my heart and mind (Rv 21:5). Maranatha!
PROMISE: “[Jesus] will strengthen you to the end.” –1 Cor 1:8
PRAISE: “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful” (Jas 5:16 RNAB). St. Monica proved her righteousness by praying her wayward son, Augustine, into the Church.