the point of most resistance
"If you give what you have as alms, all will be wiped clean for you." —Luke 11:41
To have all our sins wiped clean, we must repent and give our lives to Jesus. This conversion is an interior decision expressed in a tangible way. For some, conversion is most pointedly expressed by changing jobs or changing friends. For others, forgiving an enemy or returning to church are critical issues. For still others, such as the Pharisees, the concrete expression of conversion is a matter of money, since the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tm 6:10).
Many of the Pharisees observed only the letter of the law. They tithed (Lk 11:42) and gave alms. However, they did not live the spirit of the law, for they were avaricious men who gave themselves to money rather than to God (Lk 16:13-14). Jesus challenged them to heartfelt almsgiving. This would have been a sign of their conversion, and all would have been wiped clean for them.
What would be evidence that you have repented and given your life to Jesus? (see Lk 3:8) Where do you need to swallow your pride? Where are you holding back on the Lord? What are you doing only in the letter of the law and not in the spirit? Give in; give all and "all will be wiped clean for you" (Lk 11:41).
Prayer: Father, I give in to Your will at my point of most resistance.
Promise: "Let Your kindness come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your promise." —Ps 119:41
Praise: Teresa often sat at the feet of Jesus in prayer. God gifted her with the ability to hear His voice. She devoted a great amount of energy to instructing others to hear God in prayer.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our booklet, The Bible on Money.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 2, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 1996