complete connections
“A woman from the crowd called out, ‘Blest is the womb that bore You and the breasts that nursed You!’ ‘Rather,’ He replied, ‘blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.’ ” —Luke 11:27-28
A woman called Jesus’ mother blest because Mary’s womb bore Jesus and her breasts nursed Him. Jesus corrected the woman by saying that Mary was blest because she heard the Word of God and kept it (Lk 11:27-28).
We likewise are blest not because of our connections with Jesus but because of our commitment to Him. We may be connected to Jesus through prayer, church involvement, religious practices, service to the poor, moral behavior, etc. We may even be associated with Jesus by prophesying, driving out demons, or working miracles (Mt 7:22). However, on Judgment Day, Jesus will gather those who are merely churchgoers, humanitarians, decent citizens, and even prophets, exorcists, and miracle-workers. He will call some of them “evildoers” and tell them to get out of His sight (Mt 7:23).
The Lord is calling us not to be merely connected with Him but totally committed to Him. Jesus died on the cross to save us, and He wants nothing less than everything we are and have. He is totally committed to us and calls us to be totally committed to Him.
Prayer: Jesus, I repent of giving 99% to You. I give up that one thing, habit, or sin that separates me from total commitment to You.
Promise: “All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Him.” —Gal 3:27
Praise: Evelyn, a non-Catholic, worked for a Catholic parish for years. Influenced by the faith of her co-workers, she chose to convert to the Catholic Faith.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Clarity, Certainty and Commitment, view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2022, through November 30, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 3, 2022
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.