abundant sobriety
"Jesus answered: 'I give you My word, there is no one who has given up home, brothers or sisters, mother or father, children or property, for Me and for the gospel who will not receive in this present age a hundred times as many." —Mark 10:29-30
After having received the living waters of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost, we realize that our heavenly Father is a bountiful provider for His children. He gives us more than we can ever ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20). He supplies our "needs fully, in a way worthy of His magnificent riches in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19). Jesus also gives bountifully. For example, He gives us a hundred times more than we gave up to follow Him. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit constantly lavish Their love on us.
In the midst of such an abundant life (see Jn 10:10), we are commanded by the Lord to "live soberly" (1 Pt 1:13). The only way to live soberly amid such an abundance is to be great and total givers. We must give abundantly — "good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over" (Lk 6:38). We must give quickly — almost as fast as God gives to us. We must give everything.
This would seem to solve our problem of how to live soberly while receiving an abundance. However, the Lord keeps on giving, and the more we give, the more He gives (see Mk 4:24). He always outgives us. To maintain sobriety, we must continue to give everything quickly, as long as we live. Live an abundant, sober life.
Prayer: Father, make me delightfully sober.
Promise: "Be holy, for I am holy." —1 Pt 1:16
Praise: St. Augustine came to the Pope with his companions' resignations and left as the leader of the mission.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, The Beatitudes, or our tape on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 23, 2007
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