mission sunday revisited
"I could even wish to be separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen the Israelites." —Romans 9:3
What causes you "great grief and constant pain"? (Rm 9:2) Paul's grief and pain were due to the fact that not all the Jewish people had accepted Jesus as their Messiah, Lord, and God.
Do you want anything so badly that you would even "be separated from Christ" and go to hell? (Rm 9:3) Some people want power, money, sexual pleasure, popularity, success, or revenge so much that they choose to go to hell. Paul hypothetically asserted he would go to hell if this would help the Jewish people go to Jesus and heaven.
Why would you make yourself a slave — even "the slave of all"? Some people make themselves slaves to alcohol, nicotine, other drugs, money, pornography, their businesses, fears, or anxieties. Paul decided to be "the slave of all so as to win over as many as possible" to Jesus (1 Cor 9:19). All that he did was "for the sake of the gospel" (1 Cor 9:23).
What are you compelled to do? What is the driving force in your life? Paul was "under compulsion" to preach the gospel (1 Cor 9:16).
A few days ago, we celebrated World Mission Sunday. What difference has it made in your thoughts, motives, actions, and life?
Prayer: Father, give me the faith and love to zealously share my faith in You.
Promise: "He (Jesus) took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way." —Lk 14:4
Praise: Pedro struggled with a tendency to use profanity. He resolved to read Scripture daily to fill his mind with God's good words to overcome his own bad words (see Lk 6:45).
Reference: (Consider reading the entire Bible during the Great Jubilee Year. You may wish to order our daily Scripture reading checklists, and our Simple Reading Guides to the entire Bible.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 10, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 16, 1999