“Herodias had her chance one day when…” —Mark 6:21

Herodias “harbored a grudge against” John the Baptizer for pointing out her sin; she “wanted to kill [John] but was unable to do so” (Mk 6:19). She got her chance one day when Herod dropped his guard (Mk 6:21). Herodias recognized the moment instantly, took the initiative (see Lk 16:8), made “the most of the present opportunity” (see Eph 5:16), and accomplished her brutal goal. This was perhaps the only chance Herodias would ever get, and she didn’t miss it.
Jesus has called us, His disciples, to be fishers of men and women (Mt 4:19). We are to make disciples by catching men and women at the moment when they are ready to turn to the Lord. God may present an evangelistic opportunity when a coworker has a moment of readiness, perhaps when they are hurting and need love, perhaps after the loss of a loved one when they need assurance, perhaps a word of correction when they are caught in sin. This is what good fishermen do — they catch fish when the fish are hungry, not when it’s convenient for the fisherman. Therefore to be a successful fisher of men and women, you’d better be present and ready to capitalize when the time is right. No one catches a fish while relaxing on his or her couch.
Jesus taught that the worldly take more initiative than spiritual people (see Lk 16:8). Herodias was ready to commit evil, was prepared and present when her chance came, and she succeeded. How much more should we who follow Jesus be ready to do good? Be prepared, ready, and always in position. Make disciples for Jesus (Mt 28:19).

Prayer: Father, may I never be unwilling to work hard for You.
Promise: “God’s way is unerring, the promise of the Lord is fire-tried; He is a Shield to all who take refuge in Him.” —Ps 18:31
Praise: Praise: Ellen shares her home by opening it up one night a week for dinner and a Bible teaching for local teens.

February 7, 2014 by dgcree

Prayer is the light of the soul

A homily of Pseudo-Chrysostom
[ c.347 – 407 A.D. ]

The highest good is prayer and conversation with God, because it means that we are in God’s company and in union with him. When light enters our bodily eyes our eyesight is sharpened; when a soul is intent on God, God’s inextinguishable light shines into it and makes it bright and clear. I am talking, of course, of prayer that comes from the heart and not from routine: not the prayer that is assigned to particular days or particular moments in time, but the prayer that happens continuously by day and by night.
Indeed the soul should not only turn to God at times of explicit prayer. Whatever we are engaged in, whether it is care for the poor, or some other duty, or some act of generosity, we should remember God and long for God. The love of God will be as salt is to food, making our actions into a perfect dish to set before the Lord of all things. Then it is right that we should receive the fruits of our labours, overflowing onto us through all eternity, if we have been offering them to him throughout our lives.
Prayer is the light of the soul, true knowledge of God, a mediator between God and men. Prayer lifts the soul into the heavens where it hugs God in an indescribable embrace. The soul seeks the milk of God like a baby crying for the breast. It fulfils its own vows and receives in exchange gifts better than anything that can be seen or imagined.
Prayer is a go-between linking us to God. It gives joy to the soul and calms its emotions. I warn you, though: do not imagine that prayer is simply words. Prayer is the desire for God, an indescribable devotion, not given by man but brought about by God’s grace. As St Paul says: For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself intercedes on our behalf in a way that could never be put into words.
If God gives to someone the gift of such prayer, it is a gift of imperishable riches, a heavenly food that satisfies the spirit. Whoever tastes that food catches fire and his soul burns for ever with desire for the Lord.
To begin on this path, start by adorning your house with modesty and humility. Make it shine brightly with the light of justice. Decorate it with the gold leaf of good works, with the jewels of faithfulness and greatness of heart. Finally, to make the house perfect, raise a gable above it all, a gable of prayer. Thus you will have prepared a pure and sparkling house for the Lord. Receive the Lord into this royal and splendid dwelling — in other words: receive, by his grace, his image into the temple of your soul.