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December 1, 2014

The centurion was perhaps a Syrian, certainly a pagan, an officer in the Roman military. He was clearly a good person, an admirable man. Yet, this foreigner must have respected and cared about his Jewish servant so much that he wanted him relieved of his sickness. And for that he was willing to open himself to the censure of his superiors and to the behind-the-back remarks of his associates and subordinates by begging humbly to this wandering Jewish healer to cure his very sick servant. Jesus was amazed at the solid and firm faith of the centurion.

Do we have the same firm and solid faith as the centurion’s? Advent is a time for strengthening our own faith. It is the time for us to renew our faith and trust in Jesus. Perhaps if we work at strengthening our faith, we will be pleased to hear Jesus speak of us, although not as he spoke of the centurion, “My child, I have seen your faith grow.”

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 1

<< Monday, December 1, 2014 >>

Isaiah 2:1-5
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Psalm 122:1-9

Matthew 8:5-11
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"FEED MY SHEEP" (Jn 21:17)

"In days to come, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: 'Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may instruct us in His ways, and we may walk in His paths.' " —Isaiah 2:2-3

Today, many stream toward shopping malls and purchasing Websites, saying, "Come, let us finish our Christmas shopping" (cp Is 2:3). Many merchants hear this call and have answered it, setting up shop to supply the consumer demand. We at Presentation Ministries follow a different call: to provide materials for instruction of those who "stream" to the Lord for instruction.

The above passage, Isaiah 2:2-3, is a foundational prophecy for Presentation Ministries. Decades ago, we at PM heard the call of God to receive and then exercise the spiritual gift of teaching. We sensed that God was calling us to provide a banquet of Catholic Scriptural resources for instruction in God's "ways" and to guide Christians as they set out to "walk in His paths" (Is 2:3). We heard that there would be a famine for hearing God's Word (Am 8:11) and built up and made available a storehouse of teachings to instruct and feed people (see Gn 41:48-49, 56ff).

Pray for us in our ministry to send forth God's instruction. Work with us by feeding people with God's Word. We have many resources at our website, www.presentationministries.com, which can help feed both new and seasoned disciples. Isaiah prophesies that people will stream toward the Lord for instruction. Feed His people (Jn 21:17).

Prayer: Father, You have been preparing us for years. May we be quick to lead the streaming crowds to the banquet of Your Word.

Promise: "Many will come from the east and the west and will find a place at the banquet in the kingdom of God." —Mt 8:11

Praise: When interviewed after winning a big game, Steven was quick to give the credit to the "Author of Life" (Acts 3:15).