One of The Best Gifts We Can Give Ourselves
Daily Devotion – Partnership
“As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 8:23 NASB
| Paul knew that his ministry was a partnership. He couldn’t do the work alone. He needed others. Writing to Christians in Corinth, he described Titus as his “fellow worker.” Titus merited this position because he had been “tested and found diligent” and proven trustworthy (v. 22). Paul stressed partnership in an earlier letter to this same church where there were divisions. Some were loyal to Apollos while others favored Paul. But Paul said divided loyalties must be eliminated. Everyone needed to work together. Using the analogy of crops, Paul described how some watered while others planted. But it was God who caused the growth. Using the same word he used to describe Titus, Paul said that we are God’s “fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:4-9). Paul was reinforcing the principles Jesus taught. The world may urge us to think first about ourselves but, in God’s Kingdom, rewards are given to everyone who contributes in any way. As Jesus said, “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Matthew 10:41). Each believer is important. Each believer has unique gifts. And we are to work together in harmony as fellow workers and partners. Seek to fulfill God’s call on your life. Seek to serve Him and the body of Christ. Invest the resources God has given you. He knows your heart and what you do. And He will reward you based on your faithfulness. PrayerFather, use me to impact lives for Your Kingdom. Help me to be a faithful servant and a trustworthy partner. In Jesus’ name, amen. Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 8 |
The Greatest Gift
Daily Devotion – Your Reward
“I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” – Revelation 22:12-13 NLT
Each of us has been given 24 hours a day. And God has given each person different gifts and resources as well as unique opportunities to use those gifts. Every day, we must make choices about how we spend our time and what we do with our resources.
Many people make decisions primarily based on what seems important at the moment. They’re not concerned about the future but about what feels best right now.
How easily we forget that even if we solved every problem today, we would face new challenges tomorrow. While no moment of pleasure lasts forever, our actions have eternal consequences.
The Bible urges us to realize that our lives are like a vapor, a blink of an eye. Yet many people focus on this vapor and forget that today’s choices will impact them throughout their lives and into eternity.
Yes, we are saved by grace alone through faith. But the Bible reminds us that the choices we make here and now will help determine how we spend eternity.
Jesus said that when He comes again, He will bring His reward with Him. What rewards will He bring for you? You can help determine your rewards based on your decisions and actions today. Stay faithful to Him. Keep sowing seeds into His kingdom from your time, talents, and treasures. Remember, you will reap what you sow – in this life and into eternity.
Prayer
Father, give me Your perspective on my life. Help me to be faithful with the gifts You have given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Revelation 22
Sermon Notes – We Ask for Gifts That Are Too Small
“We Ask For Gifts That Are Too Small“
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
January 9-10, 2021
Gospel: Matthew 1: 7-11
During the Christmas season, our good Lord shows us remarkable signs of His love. He reveals His essence at Christmas in what we call the Economy of Salvation and how He brought about our salvation. It shows He is love and that love is humble. He shows us that humility is a part of love. He became what He was not. He was God and became man so that He could pass on to us the fruits of His love through the Sacraments. The creator now became subject to His creatures. In the Gospel according to St. Matthew, at the baptism of our Lord, Jesus had to tell John “You must do this,” because John didn’t want to baptize Him. Such is His great humility. This is how He will affect our salvation…with great humility and subject to His creatures. The ultimate revelation of the depth of His love was at the crucifixion. He gave Himself to us out of love.
I hear people in the church say that they want power. I say, that’s kind of a short-term goal. You have power over God. “What do you mean?” Well, you know, God is subject to you. Out of His great love, He hears your prayers and answers them. You can read in the scriptures that He did not refuse anyone a miracle. He didn’t ask, “Do you know who you are talking to right now?” He didn’t ask, “Are you tithing?” “Are you supporting the Priest Retirement Fund?” He didn’t ask if you are supporting the Diocese. He didn’t ask if you have sinned. He didn’t ask if you blah blah blah. He didn’t ask any of that. He doesn’t ask if you are worthy of His gift. When we present ourselves for Holy Communion, He gives of Himself freely. He gives the gift because He loves us. He answers all of our prayers. You may say, “Well, Father you have been a priest for a long time, and you are still not a Monsignor.” Yeah, I’ve been praying for that for quite a while. I don’t think it’s going to happen. Maybe, it’s my personality…I don’t know. But, we ask for gifts that are too small and for things that might harm us. God wants to give us the greatest gift which is the gift of Himself. He wants to give us what our hearts desire. He wants to fill our hearts with joy…a joy that nobody can take from us.
We had a case in the parish a few weeks ago. A woman from the parish had been praying for quite a while for her nephew who was dying. She called and asked me if I would go and give him Last Rites. He was Catholic, but it didn’t seem to take for a long time. So, I called his wife and then went over to their house. His wife wasn’t Catholic, so the Last Rites confused her a bit. Right after I had finished giving him the Last Rites, I noticed a change in his breathing. I told his wife that they needed some time alone, and I left. He was dead a few minutes later. God answered the prayers of that woman. I’m not always around, but I happened to be in town that day. This happens so many times. I walk in and the family asks if I will give the Last Rites and when I finish, boom, they are gone.
We ask for things in our prayers that are too small. We have power over God. “Well, Father, you have power over God. You make Christ present on the altar during Mass, in the Tabernacle, and in the Sacraments.” Yes, I do, but it is you who can say yes or no if He enters your soul. No matter how many times you come for Holy Communion, properly disposed I certainly hope, you can receive God Himself into your souls. When we come to the Sacrament of Penance, He enters our souls and washes away our sins with His precious blood. You can receive God by calling Him through your prayers and inviting Him into your soul.
You have this immense power of love over God, because He loves you. He humbles Himself at Christmas and each day at the altar. He humbled Himself to John the Baptist, and He humbles Himself to us each day in our prayers. He loves you so much that He wants to give you the best gift of all which is the gift of Himself. You have great power. You have the power to draw God down into your soul. Realize your power and use it.
***
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you use the power of God’s love for you and draw Him into your soul?
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to https://annunciationcatholicalbemarle.com/ and clicking on “Blog.”