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Saturday, January 16, 2010

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1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1
Psalm 21:2-7
Mark 2:13-17

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food service

"They complained to His disciples, 'Why does He eat with such as these?' " —Mark 2:16

Jesus ate with tax-collectors and sinners. With whom do you eat? Many of us don't eat with anyone. We eat on the run. We drive-through or microwave. Others eat with family and friends. This is good, but where are the "beggars and the crippled, the lame and the blind," whom Jesus told us to invite? (Lk 14:13) Jesus often used meals as an opportunity to evangelize. Are we eating mostly with Christians and seldom with unbelievers?

We must accept Jesus as Lord of everything, including our habits and customs concerning those with whom we eat. When we let Jesus pick our dinner guests, we often won't like the company, and others will also complain (Mk 2:16). The only Person Who will be happy will be Jesus. However, that's the meaning of life. We live not for ourselves but for Him. We eat not for ourselves but for Him. We entertain not for ourselves but for Him.

May our meals not be delicious or pleasant as much as evangelistic. "All that matters is that in any and every way...Christ is being proclaimed!" (Phil 1:18) At mealtime, may we win over to Jesus as many as possible (1 Cor 9:19).

Prayer:  Father, change lifelong habits which hinder my evangelization.

Promise:  "The Lord anoints you commander over His heritage. You are to govern the Lord's people Israel, and to save them from the grasp of their enemies round about." —1 Sm 10:1

Praise:  At the soup kitchen where Ann volunteers, both physical and spiritual nourishment are served.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Evangelization on audio AV 58-3 or video V-58.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2009

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