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Monday, September 4, 2006

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1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Psalm 119:97-102
Luke 4:16-30

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a good day's work

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; therefore He has anointed Me. He has sent Me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord." —Luke 4:18-19

On this Labor Day, Jesus gives us His job description and therefore the job description of His followers. Our job is to preach the good news to the poor. This means not just a pat on the back but the ultimate good news of freedom, healing, and restoration through Jesus' death and resurrection. Our job is to build God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Mt 6:10).

When we die, planet earth should be much more in line with God's order than when we were conceived. We should leave the earth much better than we found it. We cannot accomplish this monumental task by our human power. If, however, we preach the good news of Christ crucified (1 Cor 2:2) with the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Lk 4:18), the Lord will do the rest. Nothing is impossible with Him (Lk 1:37). He made this earth, and He can re-make it into His image and likeness.

Beginning with this Labor Day, let God work through you. May the world be more Christ-like for your having lived here.

Prayer:  Jesus, may I do a good job for You today and tell someone the good news about You.

Promise:  "My message and my preaching had none of the persuasive force of 'wise' argumentation, but the convincing power of the Spirit." —1 Cor 2:4

Praise:  Andrew and Amy made Mass the focus of their marriage and family.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Renewing Our Culture on audio AV 80-3 or video V-80.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 26, 2006

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