Feb
14
2008
By Anonymous (not verified)
Feb. 14, 2008
Readings: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Mt 7:7-12
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Mt. 7:7
How many times have we seen advertisements promising unbelievable rewards for minimum effort - such as earning fast cash working from home, or leasing a fancy car with no money down?
We know that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. When we get around to reading the fine print, we soon discover there's a catch - such as the need to invest in a given product before beginning work from home, or the requirement to pay sky-high interest rates before driving away in a new fancy car.
When you hear Jesus' words, "Ask and it will be given," that gets your attention, doesn't it? We perk up our ears in much the same manner as when we hear a deal too good to be true. Jesus is not engaging in false advertising, but you would be wise to consider the fine print. In a manner of speaking, the fine print can be found in James 4:3 when Jesus says, "You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spent it on your passions."
When Jesus invites us to pray to Him and tell Him our needs, He doesn't expect to receive a selfish wish list. Rather, He's inviting us to enter into communion with God - to live lives of faith, to keep His commandments, and to do the things that are pleasing in His eyes. By abiding in Christ and pursuing a life lived in His name, we put ourselves in a position to receive from Him the provisions we need to fulfill His purposes for our lives.
Of course, the Lord will provide! But it's up to us to come to Him, seeking things that are in unison with His will. Is this a deal too good to be true? Hardly. It's more like the deal of the century - indeed, the deal of eternity!
Dear Lord, help me to sort out the things in my life that honor You from the things that offend You. Provide me with the strength and wisdom to recognize my spiritual needs so that I may please You. Amen.
Scripture
Jas 4:3
1 John 3:21-22
Catechism
2559-65
Diary of St. Faustina
240, 961
Readings: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Mt 7:7-12
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Mt. 7:7
How many times have we seen advertisements promising unbelievable rewards for minimum effort - such as earning fast cash working from home, or leasing a fancy car with no money down?
We know that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. When we get around to reading the fine print, we soon discover there's a catch - such as the need to invest in a given product before beginning work from home, or the requirement to pay sky-high interest rates before driving away in a new fancy car.
When you hear Jesus' words, "Ask and it will be given," that gets your attention, doesn't it? We perk up our ears in much the same manner as when we hear a deal too good to be true. Jesus is not engaging in false advertising, but you would be wise to consider the fine print. In a manner of speaking, the fine print can be found in James 4:3 when Jesus says, "You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spent it on your passions."
When Jesus invites us to pray to Him and tell Him our needs, He doesn't expect to receive a selfish wish list. Rather, He's inviting us to enter into communion with God - to live lives of faith, to keep His commandments, and to do the things that are pleasing in His eyes. By abiding in Christ and pursuing a life lived in His name, we put ourselves in a position to receive from Him the provisions we need to fulfill His purposes for our lives.
Of course, the Lord will provide! But it's up to us to come to Him, seeking things that are in unison with His will. Is this a deal too good to be true? Hardly. It's more like the deal of the century - indeed, the deal of eternity!
Dear Lord, help me to sort out the things in my life that honor You from the things that offend You. Provide me with the strength and wisdom to recognize my spiritual needs so that I may please You. Amen.
Scripture
Jas 4:3
1 John 3:21-22
Catechism
2559-65
Diary of St. Faustina
240, 961
aggb