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Monday, February 28, 2022

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1 Peter 1:3-9
Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10
Mark 10:17-27

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“i do!” or “i do...”?

“Teacher, what must I do?” —Mark 10:17

The rich young man was what we call today a “can-do” individual. He was always doing something. First, he ran up to Jesus and knelt before Him. He then asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?” (Mk 10:17)  Jesus, recognizing the man’s mindset, accordingly, gave him a list of things to do: the commandments. The young man’s response was another action-oriented one: “I have kept all these. Check those off of my to-do list” (see Mk 10:20).  Jesus continued to meet the man right where he was, saying, “There is one thing more you must do” (Mk 10:21). Jesus gave him exactly the answer he wanted — something he could do to prepare his soul to accept Jesus and receive eternal life — but the man “went away sad” (Mk 10:22).

If we base our relationship with Jesus on what we do, then so will Jesus. Remember, Jesus Himself said: “The measure with which you measure will be used to measure you” (Mt 7:2). There will always be one thing more we must do, and “for man it is impossible” (Mk 10:27). When we give our lives to Jesus in loving service, we in effect marry Him. We say, “I do,” as would a bride and groom. Now, our value comes from being in Christ, and we focus on loving and serving Him rather than on impressing Him. He continues to meet us where we are — only now we are in Him, and all is brought to perfection in Him.

You’ll eventually be saying “I do” to Jesus. Which meaning will you choose — marriage or merit?

Prayer:  Jesus, Lord, Savior, God, I DO!

Promise:  “Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He Who in His great mercy gave us new birth; a birth unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” —1 Pt 1:3

Praise:  Arthur, a faith-filled retail businessman, makes sure his workers are well cared for and able to provide for their families.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

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.