"my precious"
"I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from Me your own beloved son." —Genesis 22:12
Abraham was willing to give up his son for God, Who sent His Son for us. "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life" (Jn 3:16).
Would you give up your son, life, family, and self for God? The psalmist proclaims: "Your kindness is a greater good than life" (Ps 63:4), and "I had rather one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked" (Ps 84:11). The song goes: "Lord, You are more precious than silver; Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with You."
Is Jesus' Kingdom the precious pearl for which we sell all that we have? (Mt 13:46) Could we truthfully say: "I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ"? (Phil 3:8)
Is Jesus your renown, praise, and beauty? (Jer 13:11) You're His pride and joy. He loves you, even to dying on the cross for you. Is He all you're living for? "For, to me, 'life' means Christ" (Phil 1:21).
Prayer: "Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All!" I give my life to You. You gave Your life for me.
Promise: "When Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic, 'Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.' " —Mt 9:2
Praise: The first martyrs of Rome were burned alive and devoured by wild beasts in the arena. Their blood shed for Jesus has borne great fruit by preparing Rome to be the home of the Catholic Church.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet on Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God or on audio AV 43-1 or video V-43.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 20, 2004
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