(Luke 24:46-53)
Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. “And you are witnesses of these things. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. (NKJV)
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We learn here that Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy of the Christ. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb and through Him, we are offered the opportunity to repent and have our sins forgiven. He also tells his disciples who later become the apostles to wait until they receive the Holy Spirit before leaving the city to preach in His name.
We too are called to be apostles in our daily lives and live the Gospel. We have the benefit of thousands of years to better understand the Gospels as they related to us in today’s modern world. Going out to preach the Gospel happens in many ways. It starts with accepting Jesus and loving Him ahead of all other things. We are given the opportunity to receive the graces of the Holy Spirit if we simply humble ourselves, open our hearts and say “yes”. Once we’ve accepted the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are able to look at others with a new set of eyes. Our motives for daily living change from self serving to serving others. How often do you offer your talents; time or treasures in the service of others? Do you act on the Corporal and Spiritual works of Mercy? Do you even know what these are?
Corporal Works of Mercy
- Feed the hungry
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Clothe the naked
- Give shelter to the homeless
- Visit the sick
- Minister to those in prison
- Bury the dead
Spiritual Works of Mercy
- Instruct the ignorant
- Counsel the doubtful
- Admonish sinners
- Bear wrongs patiently
- Forgive offences willingly
- Comfort the afflicted
- Pray for the living and the dead
How does what you do every day impact the lives of others? Do you minister to others? Are you a modern day apostle of Christ?
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are the Christ
Lord Jesus, you are seated at the right hand of the Father
Lord Jesus, you send us the promise of your Father
May the Lord bless us and provide us with the fortitude, commitment and servant heart to minister to the lost sheep so they may find their way back to the Shepherd. Amen.
