cliff-hanger?
"They rose up and expelled Him from the town, leading Him to the brow of the hill on which it was built and intending to hurl Him over the edge." —Luke 4:29
Throughout Lent the Church reads to us about miraculous waters — for example, the Jordan River (2 Kgs 5:10ff), the pool of Bethesda (Jn 5:2), and Ezekiel's wonderful stream (Ez 47:1ff). These miraculous waters are meant to remind us of Baptism, for in less than four weeks we will renew our baptismal promises at Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses. This is the greatest event of the year.
Are you getting ready to make the greatest and deepest renewal of your Baptism ever? One indication of the answer to this question is your docility to Jesus' commands. Think of the most challenging command Jesus could give you. Possibly He will command you to repent of your sins, forgive your spouse, apologize to your enemies, go and share your faith, change your life-style, be celibate, have a large family, choose to live gospel poverty, accept persecution, or pray daily with your spouse. What could Jesus say to you that would make you feel like throwing Him over a cliff? (see Lk 4:29) If you are willing to obey any command from Jesus — even the "worst" one, you are getting ready for the renewal of your baptismal promises. Otherwise, go to Confession and do whatever Jesus tells you so as to grow in obedience to Him.
Prayer: Father, I will live to do Your will, not mine.
Promise: "So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." —2 Kgs 5:14
Praise: St. Casimir was banished from his father's castle because of his principles of holiness.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Lent and the Renewal of our Baptismal Promises.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 18, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 25, 2001