WATCHWORD:
11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 11-13
17A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. John 21:17
Meditation:
Miracle Grow
Plant and flower lovers know all about Miracle Grow for their “babies”. As advertised, Miracle Grow provides essential nutrients and encourages growth and health for “all flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs and houseplants.” If you use Miracle Grow every one to two weeks, you will see a real difference in your plants, according to their advertisements.
Well, we happen to know about another “miracle grow” that touches every aspect of our lives. This miracle grow provides essential ingredients for growth in faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love, in other words, love leads to a rich full life of generosity, compassion and peace.
A Life of Christian growth, based on the Word of God, has two phases that are inseparable: Loving the Lord your God with all your heart, and feed my sheep. The one cannot be true without the other.
The plant fertilizer, promises “to instantly feed the plants so that they will grow bigger and more beautiful”, almost like a miracle. The Word of God, planted and nurtured in our hearts brings blessed growth and changes in our lives, over time — a spiritual miracle. The “Born Again” change that each of us experienced in accepting Christ as Lord, instantly feeds our faith and affirms our response to Jesus’ question, “Do you love Me?” To which our Lord instructs us to share our experience of a changed life, to others. In other words, to feed my sheep.
We re truly blessed to have Christ in our lives and the Word of God is miracle grow for the soul. Believe it, trust it, rest in His Holy Graces. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
Every day you need to get a full dose of the Word and mediate on scripture, and if you discipline yourself and remain consistent, your faith will grow and mature, and remember that God, the Word, and your faith, is a recipe for success. — Stephanie Williams, Daily Meditation of Scripture.
Closing Prayer:
Almighty Father, I do not want to be a baby Christian anymore; I want to take Christianity seriously! Please anoint me to stand upright with you. Let me hold firm to my confession of Jesus Christ. Take away every persecution that the enemies may hurl against me. Empower me through your Holy Spirit to remain undefeated, and anoint me to share Your gospel throughout the world. Let my outreaches touch people’s lives and lead them to the salvation of your Son Jesus Christ. At the end of my earthly journey, let me hear your favorable statement “Well done and welcome my good servant!” in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen.
