To have faith is to rely upon Christ, the Person,
with the whole heart. It is not the understanding of the mind, not the theological opinion, not creed, not organization, not ritual. It is the koinonia of the whole personality with God and Christ. This experience of communion with Christ is itself the continual attitude of dependence on the Saviour which we call faith.
- Kokichi Kurosaki (1886-1970), One Body in Christ Complete surrender of your life to God. Do so this day.
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Romans 6:19-23
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 Luke 12:49-53 Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I
wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!
‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’
Reflection on the Scriptures
The Gospel from Luke gives us a challenging dimension of discipleship. Jesus declares that His coming is not simply to bring a superficial peace but to set the world on fire with God’s love and truth—a fire that
purifies, unsettles, and divides. Faith in Him demands such a radical commitment that even the tightest bonds of family may be strained. Choosing Christ may mean conflict at home, misunderstanding, or division with those we love most. Yet Jesus frames this not as destruction, but as the necessary tension that arises when truth encounters resistance. His baptism, which he longs to complete, points to the cross, where love burns most fiercely and transformation begins. -by Jane Stein
The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A. Kempis https://amzn.to/40FrikB Paperback and Kindle versions available BOOK
ONE: Thoughts Helpful in the Life of a Soul
The Sixth Chapter: Unbridled Affections WHEN we desire
a thing too much, we become ill at ease. A proud and avaricious person never rests, whereas one who is poor and humble of heart lives in a world of peace. An unmortified person is quickly tempted and overcome in small, trifling evils; his spirit is weak, in a measure carnal and inclined to sensual things; he can hardly abstain from earthly desires. Hence it makes him sad to forego them; he is quick to anger if reproved. Yet if he satisfies his desires, remorse of conscience overwhelms him
because he followed his passions and they did not lead to the peace he sought. True peace of heart, then, is found in resisting passions, not in satisfying them. There is no peace in the carnal person, in one given to vain attractions, but there is peace in the fervent and spiritual
person.
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