[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 Meditation Hebrews 2:14-18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. (Hebrews 2:18) Anyone who has tried to follow Jesus for even one day has had to deal with temptation. Sin is pervasive; it seeps in whenever we let our guard down. Even when we have our guard up, it can seem overpowering! In these situations, Jesus’ words of warning to his disciples ring true in our hearts as well: “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Let’s face it: The entire fight against sin can be very discouraging—which is why this passage from Hebrews can be so exciting. Jesus is able to help those who are being tempted! What can we do? Scripture gives us three strategies: avoiding temptation, fleeing from it, and resisting it. The surest way to know victory over temptation is to avoid it. This means being led by the Spirit in a way that doesn’t give the devil a foothold. It means keeping out of harm’s way as we walk through our day (Psalm 17:4; Proverbs 4:14-15; 13:14; 1 Timothy 6:20). There are times, however, when God will allow us to face temptation in order to test us and refine us. In a situation when temptation overtakes us, we should respond like the patriarch Joseph, fleeing the false sense of comfort and fulfillment that temptation offers (Genesis 39:8-12; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Even when there is nowhere to run, we still can resist temptation, taking confidence that if we do, the devil himself will flee (James 4:7; Luke 4:13; Revelation 12:10-11). This is not because we possess power of our own but rather because the Spirit of God resides within us and will fight for us as we lean on him. Temptation always comes to us in the form of a lie, or a truth that has been twisted out of proportion. But we can dismantle these lies by immersing ourselves in Scripture. Whether we are avoiding temptation or fleeing it or resisting it, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is with us—as he was with Jesus—to strengthen us and protect us. Founded on him, we can stand fast no matter what comes at us! “Lord, teach me to rely on you and to carry your word in my heart at all times, that I might not sin against you.”

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Wednesday, January 12, 2005 >>

St. Marguerite Bourgeoys (Canada)

Hebrews 2:14-18

Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9

Mark 1:29-39

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SHOCK-THERAPY?

“Therefore He had to become like His brothers in every way, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest before God on their behalf, to expiate the sins of the people.” —Hebrews 2:17

Jesus “had a full share” in our human nature (Heb 2:14). He is truly and fully man. That Jesus, the Word, became flesh (Jn 1:14) is the most shocking event in the history of the human race. Bishop Sheen said that the difference between a human being and an amoeba is much less than the difference between God and man. Therefore, if a human being emptied himself of his humanity (see Phil 2:7) and became an amoeba, this would not be nearly as extreme as God becoming man.

Imagine you could become a termite and become a brother or sister to some other termites. Jesus’ refusal to be “ashamed to call” us His brothers and sisters (Heb 2:11; see also 2:17) may be as shocking as His Incarnation.

Finally, Jesus decided to give Himself to us under the appearance of human food and drink, that is, bread and wine. If you had the power to appear as amoeba food or termite food, would you do such a thing?

Jesus incarnate, Brother Jesus, eucharistic Jesus is unimaginably shocking. Because God is Love (1 Jn 4:16), God is shocking. Live in His love (Jn 15:9-10).

Prayer: Father, shock me into love.

Promise: “Rising early the next morning, He went off to a lonely place in the desert; there He was absorbed in prayer.” —Mk 1:35

Praise: St. Marguerite sought out other women who shared her vision to serve Indian children and they became a community of sisters.