Tough Love

​STEP #1: LECTIO / READ

Matthew 11: 20-24

Jesus began to reproach the towns
where most of his mighty deeds had been done,
since they had not repented.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst
had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum:

Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will go down to the nether world.

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom,
it would have remained until this day.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

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​STEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATE

Whoa. Is it just me or does Jesus sound a little harsh here? He is telling the community off pretty strongly.  But can you blame Him?

The people he is speaking to, have totally disregarded him. He has come to their town, performed miracles and proclaimed the Gospel to them. They have heard the message, yet they have not changed their lives.

Jesus is giving them some tough love here. He loves them and He is preparing to die for Him. Yet, they are ignoring Him. Wouldn’t you be upset too?

How often can we apply this to our lives? We know the Word of God. We know that Jesus has died for us. Maybe you went to a retreat or heard a talk, but did it change you? How does that affect your life? Have you made a change? Or did you go back to your normal life after?

Do you need some tough love?

We all need some tough love from time to time. We all need to radically live for Jesus, to the life He is calling us to. Do you live for Jesus? Does knowing Jesus change how you act around your friends? Do you try not to gossip? Not to swear? Do you pray every day? Go to Mass on Sundays? Do you share your faith?

And those are the things that are easier said than done. But following Jesus isn’t a check list. It is about inviting Him into every area of our life and putting Him first. This doesn’t mean you’re changing your identity or that you lose your personality, it means that you are inviting Jesus into the areas of your life. Inviting Jesus into your life, means becoming who you were truly created to be.

Following Jesus isn’t easy, but neither was it easy for Him to die on the cross for you. But He knew it was worth it. And I promise you it is worth it.

So how will you follow Jesus? Does your faith need a little tough love? Take a few moments, and see what is one area of your life you need to invite Jesus into.
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“Jesus continued to talk to people and loved the people and He loved the crowd, to the point that He says, ‘these who follow me, that immense crowd, are my mother and my brothers – that’s who they are’. He explains: ‘those who listen to the Word of God, put it into practice’. These are the two conditions in order to follow Jesus: to listen to the word of God,  and to put it into practice. This is the Christian life – nothing more. Simple, simple. Maybe we’ve made it a little difficult, with many explanations that no one understands, but the Christian life is thus: listening to the Word of God and practicing it.” - Pope Francis

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​STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAY

Do I love Jesus? Really love Him?

Where can I invite Him into my life?

​Where do I need some tough love?

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​STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE

"These are the two conditions in order to follow Jesus: to listen to the word of God,  and to put it into practice."

"Jesus, come into my life."

"Jesus, I want to serve you."

"Jesus, show me some tough love."

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​FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...

Today, watch where you spend your time. How long are you on Netflix? How much to do you read? Work? Pray? Look at where you spend your time and pray about how you can invite God into it.

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SMARTPHONE LOCK SCREEN

Today's prayer was prepared by Lisa Kendzior.