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Monday, May 5, 2014

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Acts 6:8-15
Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30
John 6:22-29

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why me, or why i?

"I assure you, you are not looking for Me because you have seen signs but because you have eaten your fill of the loaves." —John 6:26

The crowd asked Jesus: "When did You come here?" (Jn 6:25) They meant: "How did you come here?" However, Jesus answered neither of their questions. Instead, Jesus posed His own question: "Why did the crowd come here?" Jesus answered His own question by telling the crowd that they came for the self-centered reason of getting "perishable food" rather than the "food that remains unto life eternal" (Jn 6:27).

We frequently ask the Lord the questions "When?" and "How?". We even ask Him why He does what He does and why He permits evil. "Why?" is often a better question to ask than "When?" or "How?". However, instead of asking God "Why?", we should ask ourselves:

  • Why do we live, work, or pray?
  • Why don't we do everything for the glory of God? (1 Cor 10:31)
  • Why are we living in confusion, working in slavery, and talking to ourselves about ourselves and calling it "prayer"?
  • Why do we go to Mass on Sunday?
  • If we go in order to worship and love the Lord, then why wouldn't we go to Mass on other days?
  • Why are many of us keeping our faith to ourselves?

Ask the risen Jesus to search your heart (Ps 139:23) and tell you why you are what you are and do what you do.

Prayer:  Father, "bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of hearts" (1 Cor 4:5).

Promise:  Stephen "was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders and signs among the people." —Acts 6:8

Praise:  Jesus healed Ricardo of alcoholism and repaired a serious division in his marriage.

Reference:  (Pentecost is approaching. Pray about ordering our books, Praying For a New Pentecost, and Seek the Gifts of the Spirit.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 30, 2013

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