in santa we trust?
"In the Lord she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near." —Zephaniah 3:2
On this Tuesday twelve days before Christmas, people are drawing near to Santa Claus in the shopping malls. Will Jesus have as many visitors in churches today as Santa has in the malls? This Christmas, will Jesus have to ask: "Why was no one there when I came?" (Is 50:2)
On this twelfth day before Christmas, children all over the USA are trusting in Santa Claus to bring them presents on Christmas. They believe with all their heart that Santa will not leave them disappointed. How many children today are hoping in Jesus and trusting in Him, knowing that this hope will not leave them disappointed? (Rm 5:5) How many children even know that Christmas is about Jesus?
In the USA, our money bears the words, "In God we trust." Our lifestyles, however, shout otherwise. We are like the first son in today's Gospel (Mt 21:29). We give "lip service" to Jesus but our hearts are far from Him (Mk 7:6).
Repent! "Draw close to God" (Jas 4:8). Be like the wise men and seek Him at all costs (Mt 2:1ff). "Trust in Him at all times, O My people!" (Ps 62:9)
Prayer: Jesus, I will be more preoccupied with You the next twelve days than is a mother with her baby in her last twelve days of pregnancy.
Promise: "I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that they all may call upon the name of the Lord." —Zep 3:9
Praise: St. Lucy unfailingly trusted her God through betrayals, persecutions, tortures, and finally death.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 19, 2005
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