scolding christians
"People were bringing their little children to Him to have Him touch them, but the disciples were scolding them for this." —Mark 10:13
When you try to get close to Jesus, somebody scolds you. Surprisingly, sometimes Jesus' disciples, that is, other Christians, discourage you from giving your life to Jesus.
Many baptized people who pray, do good things, or come to Church have not decided to be committed to the Lord one-hundred percent — to love Him with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Lk 10:27). Therefore, when you begin to draw close to Jesus, you are stepping out of line and not maintaining the status quo. You are a prophetic witness convicting other Christians of lukewarmness and hypocrisy. They think: "To us his life is not like other men's, and different are his ways" (Wis 2:15). Therefore, they will scold you when you try to come close to Jesus.
If you are not stopped by being scolded, some Christians will repent and follow you in coming to Jesus. Conversely, others will feel obliged to get rougher by persecuting you.
Come to Jesus despite the scoldings and persecutions.
Prayer: Father, I put my life in Your hands.
Promise: "All their actions are clear as the sun to Him, His eyes are ever upon their ways." —Sir 17:15
Praise: Pope St. Gregory VII's last recorded words were: "I have loved justice and hated iniquity...therefore, I die in exile" (see Ps 101).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Spiritual Warfare, or on audio AV 57-3 or video V-57.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 2, 2012
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