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Friday, February 21, 1997

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St. Peter Damian


Ezekiel 18:21-28
Psalm 130
Matthew 5:20-26

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"Lose no time." —Matthew 5:25

"All's well that ends well." "If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die" (Ez 18:21). The "good thief" lived a miserable life, but ended well and was in paradise with Jesus on the day they both died (Lk 23:43).

Because our ending is all-important, some people wait until the end to convert to Jesus. This is a serious mistake. "Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day; for suddenly His wrath flames forth; at the time of vengeance, you will be destroyed" (Sir 5:8-9). If we truly want to die with Christ, why wouldn't we want to live with Him as soon as possible? Imagine waiting till you're almost dead to marry someone! Your marriage would not have time enough to break up, but you would have lost years of married love. When you give your life to Jesus, your only regret will be that you didn't do it sooner.

The best way to die in Christ is to live in Him. How can you persevere if you haven't started or are reluctant to start? "Lose no time" (Mt 5:25). "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor 6:2) Now, at this moment, give your whole life to the Lord.

Prayer:  Father, may I not miss another minute of life with You.

Promise:  "If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first to be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." —Mt 5:23-24

Praise:  Peter usually invited several poor people to eat with him at his daily meals.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, August 1, 1996


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 6, 1996