Message of 7-3-17

Published: Mon, 07/03/17

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Monday: July 3, 2017
Message of the Day
“Truly, matters in the world are in a bad state; but if you and I begin in earnest to reform ourselves, a really good beginning will have been made.”
- Peter of Alcantara

(This much we can do . . . while praying about the rest.)
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Readings of the Day
EPH 2:19-22;   PS 117:1BC, 2

JN 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
But Thomas said to them,
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

USCCB lectionary
Reflection on the Scripture
"His answer was, 'I will never believe it without probing the nailprints in His hands, without putting my finger in the nailmarks and my hand into His side.' " —John 20:25

It was unreasonable for Thomas to make his examination of Jesus' wounds a prerequisite for believing in Jesus' resurrection. No one, including Thomas, has the right to examine the wounds of Jesus or of anyone. Nevertheless, Jesus fulfilled Thomas' unreasonable request. Jesus goes to extremes to love and save us. His Incarnation, His crucifixion and death, the gift of His body and blood, His repeated forgiveness and mercy, and His humility in acceding to many of our unreasonable demands are amazing indications that His love for us knows no bounds.

Yet some people are so blinded that they don't recognize the Lord's extreme love. Others are so callous that they presumptuously think that they can delay their conversion to the Lord because He'll keep giving them chances to repent. However, others respond to the Lord's radical love for them as Thomas eventually responded. They cry out to Jesus with their whole being: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28)

The Lord has created us to love us. He has been pursuing us for years. He is madly in love with us. Will you love Him? Love Him with all your heart (Mt 22:37). Accept Jesus as your Lord and God.
 
Prayer: God, I love You, Who are Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). I will live and die for You.

Promise: "You are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God." —Eph 2:19

Praise: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28)

Presentation Ministries
Amazon Gift Cards: Good for any occasion.
Spiritual Reading
Theological Gems from Emile Merch's Theology of the Mystical Body
- selected by Jim and Tyra Arraj

Book V: In Christ
 
Chapter 15: The Holy Supernatural
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459. -- To determine what the supernatural is theology distinguishes two aspects in God. 1. God as founder of the natural order 2. God as He is in Himself - the inner life of God.

-- God causes a thing to exist, and then He unites His own perfect being with the being of the thing - therefore the thing exists in a more perfect way.
 
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