make the cut
"My mission is to spread, not peace, but division." —Matthew 10:34
One church marquee proclaims, "Jesus adds and multiplies; Satan subtracts and divides." That being so, how do we understand today's Gospel? Jesus is the "Prince of Peace" (Is 9:5), so how can He say he won't bring peace?
Satan divides and conquers to just leave us broken, bitter, and alone. Jesus, on the other hand, divides and separates us from all that keeps us from a close, intimate, personal relationship with Him. He wants full communion with us and nothing less. He has come to divide us — to tear us from relationships with people and things that are keeping us from being closer to Him.
Take a few moments to examine your relationships. Are you spending time with certain people who are pulling you away from Christ? Are you spending too much time in front of the TV or wasting too much time with electronic devices or other inanimate objects that keep you from prayer time? Cut those out of your life. Be in full communion with the Prince of Peace.
Jesus wants to mean everything to you. Let Him into your life today in a bigger, more profound way. Make the cut.
Prayer: Jesus, give me the grace to remove from my life those things that keep me from being close to You.
Promise: "He who will not take up his cross and come after Me is not worthy of Me." —Mt 10:38
Praise: St. Kateri retained the heart of a child as she grew in the grace and knowledge of her Lord and Savior. Though her decision to be a Christian placed her future status in great risk, she accepted the good news of Jesus with childlike trust.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 2, 2014
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