staying power
"Follow Me." —John 21:19, 22
The Holy Spirit comes to confirm us — to make us strong and faithful to the Lord. Before Pentecost, Jesus' disciples were like chameleons. Their commitment to Jesus changed according to the circumstances. For example, they said they would never disown Christ (Mt 26:35), but they all deserted Him in the Garden of Gethsemani (Mt 26:56). Jesus commanded Peter to follow Him, but Peter was more concerned about what other people were doing or not doing (Jn 21:21). Only by the power of the Spirit can we be faithful to the Lord.
Paul began in the Spirit and ended in the Spirit. From the day of his conversion, Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God. In the last scene of Acts, Paul was still proclaiming God's kingdom "with full assurance, and without any hindrance whatever" (Acts 28:31). Finally, Paul was martyred, still proclaiming God's kingdom.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:8). We who are disciples of Jesus should also be the same in our commitment to Him. True love is "not alternately 'yes' and 'no,' " it is "never anything but 'yes' " (2 Cor 1:19). The Holy Spirit will make you faithful. Come, Holy Spirit of Love and Faithfulness!
Prayer: Father, may I never love You less but always love You more.
Promise: "There are still many other things that Jesus did, yet if they were written about in detail, I doubt there would be room enough in the entire world to hold the books to record them." —Jn 21:25
Praise: Martin and Rosa recently celebrated their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary. They have ministered the love of Jesus to many thousands of people throughout their married life.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997