"Lord if you are willing, you can cleanse me.' Jesus said to him, 'I am willing. Be cleansed." (Matthew 8: 1-4)
Jesus is always willing to cleanse us from our sins. Thank you Jesus. Oh that we will always remember this. Help us Lord to share this good news with people in most need of your mercy.
"This is your covenant which you must keep between myself and you and your descendants after you: everyone of your males must be circumcised." (Genesis 17: 10)
Circumcision is the sign of the old covenant. This is a visible indelible mark. The Eucharist is the sign of the new covenant. It is also a visible concrete sign. Genesis 17:10 reminds me that I am covenanted to God.
"Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. And he lived in the desert until the day he appeared openly to Israel." (Luke 1: 80)
The desert is a place of formation, temptations and trials. This is the abode of John the Baptist during his hidden life. He was prepared for his ministry in the desert. Great saints are also formed in the desert. I loved my desert experience.
"Before John ended his course he said, "I am not one you imagined me to be; there is someone coming after me whose sandals I am not fit to undo." (Acts 13: 25)
John finished his course. He prepared the way for Jesus. He was the coming attraction before the main movie. He did his job very well. How well are we doing our job? Do we know what that job is?
"The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm
He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me." (Isaiah 49: 1 -2)
Yahweh called John the Baptist. He made John the Baptist what he was. Yahweh calls and makes saints and martyrs.
Yahweh called me. Yahweh will make me into what I will be. I will be docile and pliant so that Yahweh will form me into His design and purpose.
"Live in me and let me live in you; my branches bear much fruit." (John 15: 4, 5)
Live in Christ through His word and sacraments. This is the first principle of productivity in the Kingdom.
The branch lives through the sap it draws from the tree trunk. To be a healthy branch, it draws this sap constantly. When we attach ourselves to Christ through His word and sacraments, we draw on His life incessantly. With time, we begin to produce the same kind of fruits as Jesus. Fruits of faith, hope and love. Fruits of peace and joy.