"rejoice <u>in</u> the lord always" (phil 4:4)
"May the favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." —Galatians 6:18
One day in the courts of Jesus is better than a thousand elsewhere (see Ps 84:11). It is a privilege to serve Jesus, and even to die for Him (see Phil 1:29) and live in Him. In Jesus, we find and give peace (Jn 16:33; Lk 10:5). In Jesus, we are in God's kingdom and proclaim it in word and deed, especially by healing the sick (Lk 10:9). "Even the demons are subject to us" in Jesus' name (Lk 10:17). Jesus said: "I watched Satan fall from the sky like lightning. See what I have done; I have given you power to tread on snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy, and nothing shall ever injure you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice so much in the fact that the devils are subject to you as that your names are inscribed in heaven" (Lk 10:18-20). In Jesus, we have peace, power, healing, protection, and victory on earth; even better, we have eternal happiness in heaven.
Spend this Sunday, the Lord's Day, thanking the Lord for life in Him. Without Jesus, all is vanity (Eccl 1:2). Without Jesus, life seems to be a cruel joke. Without Jesus, we are under condemnation (see Rm 8:1). Without Jesus, death and damnation appear to be the final word. Thank Jesus! Praise Jesus! Love Jesus our Savior, Lord, and God!
Prayer: Father, may I "rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil 3:8).
Promise: "May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through it, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." —Gal 6:14
Praise: Praise Jesus risen! Praise Jesus glorified! Praise Jesus enthroned! He will raise the dead to everlasting life.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 29, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 2, 1997