fit for a king
"And so they entered the King's service." —Daniel 1:19
Today is the patronal feast day of Presentation Ministries, which publishes One Bread, One Body. We offer these teachings to help you grow as disciples of Christ the King, Whose feast we celebrated yesterday. As Daniel and his companions prepared diligently to serve the king of Babylon, so we disciples can enter our King's service by:
- resolving "not to defile" ourselves and committing to a life of holiness (Dn 1:8),
- simplifying our lifestyles (Dn 1:12),
- eating "from the royal table" (Dn 1:13), that is, frequently going to Mass, the banquet of the King,
- fearing the Lord, the King (see Dn 1:10),
- studying and knowing (see Dn 1:4, 17) our faith, so we may always be ready to explain it (1 Pt 3:15),
- repenting quickly (Dn 3:39),
- seeking and receiving what God will give (Dn 1:17), that is, the gifts of the Holy Spirit (see Rm 12:6-8),
- praising God in all circumstances (Dn 3:52ff; Phil 4:4),
- giving our "all" to Jesus (Lk 21:4; Mt 13:46), and
- living in committed Christian community. Daniel and his three companions strengthened one another.
On this day of presentation, present yourselves to God and "enter the King's service" (Dn 1:5).
Prayer: King Jesus, use Presentation Ministries as You wish. May many hundreds of thousands of people commit to serve You through this booklet and through Presentation's other ministries.
Promise: "He found them ten times better." —Dn 1:20
Praise: Our Lady of Presentation was pure from her conception and was presented to God in the temple as a living sacrifice.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 21, 2005
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.