Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher,no slave above his master.It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher,for the slave that he become like his master.If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul,how much more those of his household!“Therefore do not be afraid of them.Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,nor secret that will not be known.What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;rather, be afraid of the one who can destroyboth soul and body in Gehenna.Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.Even all the hairs of your head are counted.So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.Everyone who acknowledges me before othersI will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.But whoever denies me before others,I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
REFLECTION
What does it mean to acknowledge someone? If you look up the definition online, it says, it is a verb and means "to admit to be real or true: recognize the existence, truth, or reality of. Jesus says, "Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my Heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my Heavenly Father."
These statements can be reassuring for someone who is walking with Jesus on their pilgrimage of life. However, for those who have other priorities, these statements can be seen as a threat or a warning.
I remember when I was little, hearing a story about a boy who was held at gun point and asked, "Do you believe in Jesus?" The boy knew if he would say "Yes", he would be killed. But if he said "no" he would not die that day. I would meditate on these types of situations as a child. Would I acknowledge Jesus, or would I deny Him? I would pray that the Lord would not allow an opportunity like that to happen to me. I wanted so badly to have Faith like that of, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. To be thrown into a fiery furnace and keep praising God, how beautiful.
Jesus has given us a precious gift and that is the gift of Himself. We Catholics get to go to Mass every Sunday, or everyday for some, and receive the precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Isn't that amazing! God allows us to go up the aisle and acknowledge Him by saying, "Amen" and receiving Him. Thank you Jesus! However, none of this would be a reality without our priests! We need our Priests! They are the ones who bring Jesus to the people. Please join in praying for our priests thePAPA Prayer for Priests.
