crowd control
"He was trying to see what Jesus was like, but being small of stature, was unable to do so because of the crowd." —Luke 19:3
So many people are trying to see what Jesus is like. Yet they're small and the crowd is large. Sometimes the crowd isn't people around us but things inside us. How many have a crowd of fears, doubts, and selfish desires inside? To see Jesus, we must fight our way through the crowd (see Lk 8:45) or climb above it.
If I told you to go to Confession right now, a crowd would form for some of you. You may feel afraid, and before long you'd have a hundred reasons why you're not going. You have to fight through the crowd to touch Jesus and be washed in His blood.
What if I told you to go to Mass daily, lead someone to Christ, or tithe? For many of us, another crowd of sin, selfishness, doubt, fear, and anxiety would form. We must climb the tree of faith above the crowd and fight by faith through the crowd. Don't be crowded out of eternal life; enter in by faith.
Prayer: "We pray for you always that our God may make you worthy of His call, and fulfill by His power every honest intention and work of faith. In this way the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him" (2 Thes 1:11-12).
Promise: "You have mercy on all, because You can do all things; and You overlook the sins of men that they may repent." —Wis 11:23
Praise: All praise be to You, glorious, risen Lord Jesus Christ! You reign supreme over the crowd of creation. I worship You, magnificent in glory.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God or on audio AV 43-1 or video V-43.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 22, 2013
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