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Saturday, January 19, 2013

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Hebrews 4:12-16
Psalm 19:8-10, 15
Mark 2:13-17

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"make disciples" (mt 28:19)

"As He moved on He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus at his tax collector's post, and said to him, 'Follow Me.' Levi got up and became His follower." —Mark 2:14

Jesus walked into a tax collector's office and said: "Follow Me." He walked into a commercial fishing business and said: "Follow Me" (see Mt 4:19). The first thing, and almost the last thing, Jesus said to Peter was: "Follow Me" (Jn 21:19). Jesus is obviously preoccupied with calling us to follow Him, that is, to be His disciples and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).

"Jesus said to all: 'Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps' " (Lk 9:23). To be Jesus' disciples, we must follow Him totally and immediately (Lk 9:57-62). Jesus said: "In the same way, none of you can be My disciple if he does not renounce all his possessions" (Lk 14:33). We must subordinate all relationships, people, possessions, and our very selves to our pre-eminent relationship with Jesus (Lk 14:26, 33).

Do you want to move from being merely a good person, a church-goer, or even a prayerful person to being a disciple of the Lord? If so, renew your Baptism and decide now by God's grace to deny your very self, take up your cross each day, and follow Jesus. Be a disciple and make disciples who disciple others.

Prayer:  Father, may I glorify You by bearing much fruit in discipleship (Jn 15:8).

Promise:  "God's word is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart." —Heb 4:12

Praise:  Maria quietly and patiently continues to pray for her husband's conversion.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 27, 2012

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