Today's Gospel: John 8:21-30

Oh gosh. I’ve done it again. I wasted 45 minutes on Facebook. I have so many things to do today, and now I’m wondering - could I have waded into dangerous waters? Could looking at Facebook lead me to sin? The answer, of course, lies in my thoughts and motivations, which I need to check carefully at social media’s door.

I need to ask myself: Have I spent time with the Lord today, asking Him to help me see the world from His point of view? Is my heart softened to the needs of others? Or will I give in to jealousy, fear, anger, covetousness, and resentment when I see what others have or are doing that I am not? Will I approach today with humility, awaiting direction from the Holy Spirit? If not, I may be led away from the Lord’s will for me.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that the way out of sin is through faith in Him. He says, “if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” The reverse must also be true. If we DO believe in Him - if we step off the ledge of ‘certainty’ and trust what we can’t see - a miracle occurs. We are freed from sin and granted clear vision to see God’s truth. Jesus confirms this when He states, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me.”

As we raise Christ above us, we shift our focus away from the world and toward His infinite goodness and purity. In turn, Christ reveals the Father’s power.

May we exalt Jesus above every person and every thing we come across today.

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Ponder:

Where are the ‘ledges’ in my life? In which areas am I refusing to trust that God will catch me and lead me if I put my full faith in Him?

Pray:

Lord, I am weak and prone to sin. Have mercy on me and grant me strength to keep my eyes fixed on You and You alone so I may do your will in my life.

 

Copyright 2017 Gretchen Matthews

Gretchen Matthews is a writer in Annapolis, Maryland. She was raised as a non-denominational Christian and joined the Catholic Church in 2007. She blogs about her faith and life with her husband, three outgoing kids, and two rescued dogs at www.gretchenmatthews.org.

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