loving the most deprived
"I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men — the Son of Man will acknowledge him before the angels of God." —Luke 12:8
Several billion people desperately need to be introduced to Jesus, the only Way, Truth, Life (Jn 14:6), Savior (Acts 4:12), and God. The most deprived people in the world are those who have not come to know, love, and worship Jesus. Until we give our lives to Jesus, we have not begun to fully live.
Consequently, because life in Christ is most important, and because God Who is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16) wants the best for everyone, the Lord must insist that we acknowledge Him before men. He must hold us accountable if we don't acknowledge Him (Lk 12:8-10). To strongly encourage us to invite others to live for Jesus, the Lord even promised to send the Holy Spirit, Who will teach us "all that should be said" at the moment when we are sharing our faith (Lk 12:12).
All we need is faith and love, and the Lord must and will make us great evangelizers and missionaries. Therefore, because we believe in Jesus and because we love the most deprived people in the world, let us center our lives around sharing our faith. In love, what else can we do?
Prayer: Father, may love impel me to speak of Your love (see 2 Cor 5:14). May I never be ashamed of Jesus and His Gospel (Rm 1:16).
Promise: "May He enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which He has called you, the wealth of His glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the Church, and the immeasurable scope of His power in us who believe." —Eph 1:18-19
Praise: St. Teresa chose religious life because she knew how prone to sin she was. She prayed daily for the coming of the Holy Spirit in her life.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 31, 2016
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