Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
The promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off. (Acts 2:39)
Imagine you had a friend who was always true to his word. When he said he would help you out, you could be confident that he would be there, steady as a rock. Well, you do have a friend like this: your heavenly Father. He is perfectly faithful in all his ways. And he is completely committed to you.
When Peter spoke to the crowd on the day of Pentecost, he assured them that they were heirs of God’s promise, just as the disciples were. Having come from all over the world to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple, they were clearly “far off” (Acts 2:39). But that distance was no obstacle to God. Just so, we too are far off—separated by the march of time, not the stretch of miles—and that distance is no obstacle, either.
The promise is for you! Today and every day. This year and every year. It never fades. It never diminishes. Salvation is yours. So too is the promise of God’s presence, his guidance, and his consolation. So too is the call to follow him and to imitate him. And so too is the assurance that the Holy Spirit will give you every grace and blessing you need to fulfill this great call. God’s faithfulness means that he will always do everything he promised to do. No sin, no circumstance, no darkness can deter him.
How should we respond to this awesome truth? With praise and thanksgiving, of course! But how about a little curiosity as well? Take some time today to do a little Bible study. Choose any Gospel passage you want, and try to identify some of God’s promises that are embedded in it. Look either for promises he makes in this passage, or for promises of his that are being fulfilled in it. If you want some hints, try reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) or some of Jesus’ parables (Mark 4) or the story of Easter (John 20). As you do this study, keep reminding yourself that these promises are for you. They’re yours for the taking—each and every one of them!
“Father, I praise you for your faithfulness. May my heart always rest in the assurance of your love.”
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; John 20:11-18
Daily Marriage Tip for April 22, 2014:
Praying the Rosary together, as a family, is very beautiful and a source of great strength!” (Pope Francis) Do you pray the rosary as a family? Try it!