complete connections
"A woman from the crowd called out, 'Blest is the womb that bore You and the breasts that nursed You!' 'Rather,' He replied, 'blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.' " —Luke 11:27-28
A woman called Jesus' mother blest because Mary's womb bore Jesus and her breasts nursed Him. Jesus corrected the woman by saying that Mary was blest because she heard the word of God and kept it.
We likewise are blest not because of our connections with Jesus but because of our commitment to Him. We may be connected to Jesus through prayer, church involvement, religious practices, service to the poor, moral behavior, etc. We may even be associated with Jesus by prophesying, driving out demons, or working miracles (Mt 7:22). However, on Judgment Day, Jesus will gather those who are merely churchgoers, humanitarians, decent citizens, and even prophets, exorcists, and miracle-workers. He will call them "evildoers" and tell them to get out of His sight (Mt 7:23).
The Lord is calling us not to be merely connected with Him but totally committed to Him. Jesus died on the cross to save us, and He wants nothing less than everything we are and have. He is totally committed to us and calls us to be totally committed to Him.
Prayer: Jesus, I repent of giving 99% to You. I give up that one thing, habit, or sin that separates me from total commitment to You.
Promise: "All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Him." —Gal 3:27
Praise: St. Denis and his companions not only gave their 100% by evangelizing a foreign land, but also by laying down their lives in martyrdom for love of God.
Reference: (The Discipleship Retreat, Proclaiming the Gospel of Life, is scheduled for Nov. 5-6, 2004. For information or to register, e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com or call 937-587-5464.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 30, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 1, 2004