identification papers
"I solemnly assure you, no slave is greater than his master; no messenger outranks the one who sent him." —John 13:16
The Lord has called us to be His messengers, even His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). If we accept this call, our lives are no longer our own (Gal 2:20). We then do nothing but His will and say only what He authorizes us to say, as He wants it said (Jn 12:50). We become slaves of Christ (Jn 13:16), who act and talk like Christ.
This means we get the same reaction Christ got. While being loved by a few people, we are rejected and persecuted by many others. Even those closest to us may raise their heels against us (Jn 13:18). We "will suffer in the world" (Jn 16:33). However, we can be encouraged because Jesus has "overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). When we identify with Jesus and become His messengers, He identifies with us. He takes personally the way others treat us (see Acts 9:4). He states: "I solemnly assure you, he who accepts anyone I send accepts Me, and in accepting Me accepts Him Who sent Me" (Jn 13:20). Jesus protects and raises from the dead the members of His body.
Be Jesus' messenger and slave. Act, speak, suffer, and love as Jesus does. Look like Jesus. Identify with Him. He will identify with us, and with Him we will overcome the world forever (1 Jn 5:5).
Prayer: Jesus, make me look like a member of Your body.
Promise: "God testified, 'I have found David son of Jesse to be a man after My own heart who will fulfill My every wish.' " —Acts 13:22
Praise: José suffered extreme weakness as a result of an industrial accident. He goes to daily Mass anyway and his strength is returning.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997