city lights
“He who hears you, hears Me. He who rejects you, rejects Me. And he who rejects Me, rejects Him Who sent Me.”—Luke 10:16
Every Christian is called to be a missionary, that is, to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to an unbelieving world. Some missionaries travel around the world, but most stay in one particular city. If we’re called to stay in one city, our task is to bring the kingdom of God to that city. God “has prepared a city for” you (Heb 11:16), and He has also prepared you for your city.
One day Jesus looked out over the city of Jerusalem and began to mourn and lament. “How often have I wanted to gather your children together as a mother bird collects her young under her wings, and you refused Me!” (Lk 13:34)
Take a good look at the spiritual condition of your city. Let God break your heart for those people in bondage to sins of pride, greed, lust, alcoholism, and drugs. How often Jesus has wanted to gather them to Himself and they refused Him! “But how shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how can they believe unless they have heard of Him? And how can they hear unless there is someone to preach?” (Rm 10:14)
Jesus tells you: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). You are also the light of your city! Accept Jesus’ call to go out into the “byroads” of your city and invite everyone you meet to come to the Lord (Mt 22:9).
Prayer: Lord, have mercy on my city. Use me to bring Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Mt 6:10).
Promise: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? From Your presence where can I flee? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I sink to the nether world, You are present there.” —Ps 139:7-8
Praise: Jesus spoke to St. Francis and told him to “Rebuild My Church.” Despite initially misunderstanding the Lord’s intent, Francis spent the rest of his life fulfilling God’s command.
Reference:
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 Octobert 1, 2024, through November 30, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 24, 2024"
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.