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God desires us to live as close as we can to the life that Jesus Christ lived. That is the broad avenue to perfect happiness. Most of us know by experience that in proportion as we have followed Him, we have found happiness. And we know by still larger experience that as we turn away from Him the world gets dark, and life ceases to be worth living.
- George Hodges
(Is this your experience?)
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Rom 7:18-25a; Psalm 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94
Lk 12:54-59
Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“Who can free me?” —Romans 7:24
Our human nature is fallen, wounded, and weakened because of the sin of our first parents, that is, original sin. Our desires, intentions, and feelings lack power (Rm 7:18). “What happens is that I do, not the good I will to do, but the evil I do not intend” (Rm 7:19). Our wills also are incapacitated. We do what is against our wills (Rm 7:20). “This means that even though I want to do what is right, a law that leads to
wrongdoing is always ready at hand” (Rm 7:21). Moreover, our bodies are “under the power of death” (Rm 7:24).
Because our emotions, wills, and bodies are out of order, we are in an impossible situation. We are prisoners (Rm 7:23), wretched men and women (Rm 7:24) in need of freedom (Rm 7:24). Others cannot help us because they are in the same condition. We appear doomed to damnation and everlasting isolation, loneliness, and alienation from God.
“Who can free” us? (Rm 7:24) “All praise to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rm 7:25) Jesus is our only Savior and our only Hope. Thank Jesus forever for freeing and saving us through His death and Resurrection. Have faith in Jesus. Love Jesus. Worship Jesus. Live completely for Jesus.
Prayer: Father, may I love people enough to tell them that Jesus is our only Hope.
Promise: “I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.” —Ps 119:94
Presentation Ministries
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Growing in Inner Freedom: A Guide for Today
- by Philip St. Romain. Liguori Publ., 1986.
12. Don’t Look Back
“Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God” (Luke 9:62).
There is an old story about a man who was traveling down a rocky road with a cart filled with goods. He was so concerned about things falling off the cart and people making off with them that he spent most of his time looking backward. Consequently, he missed his turn into town and went into the forest, where thieves murdered him and made off with his possessions.
It is like that with us, too. When we become too concerned with the impact our lives are making, we look backward and miss the kingdom road signs in this moment.
There is such a thing as meddling too much in the affairs of our own lives. After struggling to discern the right course of action, we must simply do the best we can and then leave the results in God’s hands. We remain attentive to the feedback that others give us, but we let go of any attachment to the consequences of our actions—both good and bad. This in itself is a powerful spiritual pathway.
If we believe the consequences of our actions to be good, then thank God, who has drawn us to do this good work.
If we hurt others, or cause turmoil, then we should apologize and forget about it. Common sense dictates that we cannot do more than this anyway without getting our attention stuck in the past.
Suggested Practices
1. To make sure that your life is making a difference, remember the words of Cardinal Newman:
“I have my mission—I may never know it in this life, but 1 shall know it in the next. . . . Therefore, I will trust him. Whatever, wherever I am I can never be thrown away. . . . He does nothing in vain. He knows what he is about.”
2. Don’t look back. Strive to do good, then leave the rest in God’s hands. The best is yet to come!
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