instant
“As He moved on He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus at his tax collector’s post, and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Levi got up and became His follower.” —Mark 2:14
Could the Lord work with you as He did with Levi? Could He call you to leave everything immediately? Jesus, being the Lord, doesn’t always work step-by-step. For example, Saul is out looking for some lost asses and, before he knows it, he’s anointed king (1 Sm 9:3; 10:1). Joseph goes to bed one night and before morning he and his family are on their way to Egypt (Mt 2:14).
Jesus didn’t give the young, rich man much “pre-evangelization.” It was “sell everything now and follow Me” or stay behind (see Mk 10:21). Jesus called more than one of His apostles to quit their jobs without giving two weeks notice (Mt 4:19-22). When someone wanted to follow Jesus but needed to bury his father first, Jesus said: “Let the dead bury their dead; come away and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:60).
We live in an “instant” society. We microwave our food or pick it up at a drive-thru window, and expect instant communications with the whole world. We pop a pill for every discomfort. But, when the Lord wants an instant response from us, can we give it? Don’t keep the Lord waiting. “Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor 6:2)
Prayer: Jesus, may I always give You what You want when You want it. I give You myself unreservedly.
Promise: “From a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head; he also kissed him, saying: ‘The Lord anoints you commander over His heritage.’ ” —1 Sm 10:1
Praise: Margaret turned down her boyfriend’s proposal, confirming his vocation to the priesthood.
Reference:
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 December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 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.