why me, or why i?
"I assure you, you are not looking for Me because you have seen signs but because you have eaten your fill of the loaves." —John 6:26
The crowd asked Jesus: "When did You come here?" (Jn 6:25) They meant: "How did you come here?" However, Jesus answered neither of their questions. Instead, Jesus posed His own question: "Why did the crowd come here?" Jesus answered His own question by telling the crowd that they came for the self-centered reason of getting "perishable food" rather than the "food that remains unto life eternal" (Jn 6:27).
We frequently ask the Lord the questions "When?" and "How?". We even ask Him why He does what He does and why He permits evil. "Why?" is often a better question to ask than "When?" or "How?". However, instead of asking God "Why?", we should ask ourselves:
- Why do we live, work, or pray?
- Why don't we do everything for the glory of God? (1 Cor 10:31)
- Why are we living in confusion, working in slavery, and talking to ourselves about ourselves and calling it "prayer"?
- Why do we go to Mass on Sunday?
- If we go in order to worship and love the Lord, then why wouldn't we go to Mass on other days?
- Why are many of us keeping our faith to ourselves?
Ask the risen Jesus to search your heart (Ps 139:23) and tell you why you are what you are and do what you do.
Prayer: Father, "bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of hearts" (1 Cor 4:5).
Promise: Stephen "was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders and signs among the people." —Acts 6:8
Praise: Jesus healed Ricardo of alcoholism and repaired a serious division in his marriage.
Reference: (Pentecost is approaching. Pray about ordering our books, Praying For a New Pentecost, and Seek the Gifts of the Spirit.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 30, 2013
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.