unreal
"Thus says the Lord: This shall not stand, it shall not be!" —Isaiah 7:7
Are you like King Ahaz? Are you unable to break out of the cycle of fretting and trembling over possibilities that never wind up taking place? Are you like the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida? Do you fail to break out of the comfort of mediocrity when Jesus is performing His wonders right in front of your face?
Jesus the Prophet is constantly working to spur us to conversion and greater faith. How frequently are we unmoved by His powerful prophetic word but totally dismayed by a rumor which might disrupt our health insurance, retirement, favorite TV program, or sports team? We spend days or weeks in turmoil before discovering that the rumored event didn't actually happen. Meanwhile, we missed out on the miracles of the Eucharist, God's prophetic messages, countless signs of His love, and other clear signs of God's grace. What a waste of the precious time God has given to us!
"Is the Lord to be thus repaid by you, O stupid and foolish people?" (Dt 32:6) People of God, let's stop living in a make-believe world. Let's "keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" (Heb 12:2) and "avoid worldly, idle talk" (2 Tm 2:16).
Prayer: Father, forgive me for trembling instead of trusting, and focusing on rumors rather than reforming.
Promise: "Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm!" —Is 7:9
Praise: St. Camillus, although victim himself of several serious illnesses, spared not himself and continued to minister to the sick and dying until his own death.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Presentation Ministries offers a variety of retreats throughout fall and winter 2006: Retreat for the Divorced, Sept. 15-16; Ethics of Life, Nov. 3-4; Men's Retreat, Nov. 19. To register, call 937-205-0128 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com. In the Cincinnati area, please call 312-3151.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005
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