< <  

Monday, August 18, 2008

  > >

St. Jane Frances de Chantal


Ezekiel 24:15-24
Deuteronomy 32:18-21
Matthew 19:16-22

View Readings
Similar Reflections

"i surrender all"

"The young man said to Him, 'I have kept all these; what do I need to do further?' " —Matthew 19:20

Most people in our world are not interested in reading a Bible teaching book as you are doing right now. You're something special. You're asking God to take you deeper into His heart, into a new dimension of faith. Like the young rich man, you want something more.

At any moment, the Lord may give you what you're asking for. When He tells you the whole truth and gives you the opportunity to take a big step forward in relationship with Him, don't back off and walk away sad (Mt 19:22). When Jesus calls you, let us hope He is not just "calling your bluff."

Don't flirt with Jesus. Instead, accept His call to abundant, risen life (Jn 10:10). Throw yourself at His feet (Jn 20:17). Go all the way with Jesus, even to the cross. Don't let Jesus be "too much" for you (Mk 6:3), but love Him with abandon, with no reservations. Love Jesus as God, "with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind" (Mt 22:37).

Prayer:  Jesus, I throw myself at You. I surrender all.

Promise:  "You will then have treasure in heaven." —Mt 19:21

Praise:  St. Jane "did further" by turning her life completely over to Jesus after the death of her husband. God's grace led her to join a religious order.

Reference:  (To help you to love Jesus with no reservations, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79, Biblical Counseling on audio AV 13A-1, AV 13A-3, AV 13B-1 or video starting with V-13A.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 25, 2008

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.