STEP #1: LECTIO / READSTEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATEI have often wondered in my own journey and I’m sure many others have as well…Is it possible to live a “double life” as a Christian? What I mean is this…Can any of us live as a baptized Christian and at the same time live as a disciple of the world? It is tempting and very easy to choose this path of duplicity. Many would say, “Of course we can do both;” others would say, “Yes, to some degree;” and some along with Jesus would say, “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Ok, I know we live in the world, but we cannot be of the world. Our true home is not of this world! Jesus says in the gospel today, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command.” And our first reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians tells us, “You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.” Something to ponder… At our baptism, there is a very important part of the rite that takes place just prior to the actual baptism with water. It is called the renunciation of sin and profession of faith. What happens here is a threefold rejection of a way of life that is contrary to Jesus Christ, and then a threefold “Yes” to God and the creed of our faith. So in all honesty can we live a double life? NO! If we have entered into a life of Christ through baptism, that means we have said NO to one type of life (Satan, sin, the glamor of evil, and all the empty promises of the deceiver), and YES to another type of life (Father, Son, Holy Spirit, our Blessed Mother, the saints, the Church, forgiveness of sins, resurrection, and life everlasting). How are we living out these promises of our baptism and saying “No” to things that have no place in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ? Take the challenge and enter into all the “Yes’s” of Jesus, it is truly liberating! STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAYAm I leading a double life? How do I say yes to Jesus in my daily life? What is the foundation on which I have built my life? STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?” "The Lord is my rock." "Yes, Lord." FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...Say "yes" to the Lord in all things and in all areas of your life. SMARTPHONE LOCK SCREEN Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. John McNamara, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.
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