more fast food?
"The number of disciples grew." —Acts 6:1
In our American society, we want more, and we want it fast. We even super-size our fast food. The Lord also wants more, and He wants it fast. However, He wants not more material things or more pleasures. Rather, He wants more conversions. He wants us to be able to say: "The word of God continued to spread, while at the same time the number of the disciples in Jerusalem enormously increased. There were many priests among those who embraced the faith" (Acts 6:7). Moreover, the Lord wants this great harvest of evangelization as fast as possible. When the apostles wanted to take Jesus into their boat, "suddenly it came aground on the shore they had been approaching" (Jn 6:21). We can get somewhere fast with Jesus, if we're talking evangelization.
The more we want more materially and selfishly, the less we want more people to come to Christ, for "the flesh lusts against the spirit" (Gal 5:17). Also, the quicker our lifestyles, the less time we have for the Lord. Thus, in our desire for more of the "world," we get less of God's kingdom, and our need for speed slows down the progress of God's work in our lives.
In this Easter season, may we let the Holy Spirit use God's word to prove us wrong (see Jn 16:8) about our lifestyle of wanting more things and living in the "fast lane." Then we can live lifestyles of evangelization as witnesses for the risen Christ.
Prayer: Father, remove from me the baggage which slows me down in evangelization.
Promise: Jesus "told them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' " —Jn 6:20
Praise: St. Fidelis was so successful in converting people to faith that his enemies claimed he was a spy for the emperor.
Reference: (For more teachings on evangelization, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these tapes: Evangelization on audio AV 55-1, AV 55-3 or video V-55, Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, Biblical Counseling on audio AV 13A-1, AV 13A-3, AV 13B-1.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, October 9, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 14, 2003