1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Psalm 33:12-15, 20-21
Luke 4:38-44
View Readings
WHY DO I WANT JESUS?
"They tried to keep Him from leaving them." ¬—Luke 4:42
The crowds tried to prevent Jesus from leaving them. The crowds were unknowingly acting in opposition to the Father’s will, for the Father sent Jesus to announce the Gospel to the towns of Judea (Lk 4:43). It is certainly a good thing that the crowds wanted Jesus to remain in their midst. But apparently they wanted Jesus to remain to meet their desires for healing rather than to do His Father’s will.
At another point in His public ministry, a crowd of Samaritans in the town of Shechem likewise “begged [Jesus] to stay with them awhile” (Jn 4:40). On this occasion, Jesus did remain and “stayed there two days” (Jn 4:40). The Samaritans came to faith in Jesus as “Savior of the world” through hearing His words for themselves (Jn 4:41-42). Like Mary of Bethany, the Samaritans apparently wanted only to listen to Jesus’ words (Lk 10:41-42).
Now that Jesus has risen, it is indeed better for us that He has ascended (Jn 16:7). For now He does constantly remain with us. Jesus is not hard to find. He is in the Eucharist, in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Spirit, in His Word, in His people, in the Sacraments. He is not hiding from us; rather, He is hiding for us.
At times, we try to prevent Jesus from leaving; at other times, we aren’t interested in staying with Him when He wants us to remain by His side. Why do we want Jesus in our life? Do we want Jesus in our life for the same reason Jesus wants to be in our life? Do we want Him to remain with us the same way He wants to remain with us? Our answer will reveal the depth of our relationship with Jesus.
Prayer: Father, give me an insatiable hunger for Jesus.
Promise: "Happy the nation whose God is the Lord." —Ps 33:12
Praise: Jesus delivered Pete from drug addiction. Pete now has dedicated himself to spreading the Word of God.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."
"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 August 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 22, 2023"
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright ©
To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email
To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..
No comments:
Post a Comment