the place to be
"I am indeed going to prepare a place for you." —John 14:3
In building His Church (Mt 16:18), Jesus has prepared a place for each of us. This is the place for which we were created. In this place, our hearts will not be troubled (see Jn 14:1). In our place in the body of Christ, the Church, we will see the power and the glory of God. In our place, we will, by God's grace and our faith, do greater things than Jesus did (Jn 14:12). Most of us will serve the Lord and His Church for many years. After being good and faithful servants in our place in His Church (Mt 25:21, 23), we will see Jesus keep His promise to "come back to take" us to our final resting place in heaven (Jn 14:3).
Therefore, love Jesus and His Church (Eph 5:25). Know your part in Christ's body in as much detail as possible. Take your place in the Church faithfully and fully. Rejoice to be who you are in Christ and in His body. Proclaim that Jesus has prepared a place in His Church for everyone. No one need waste his life by doing his own thing. We don't have to be "out of place." Jesus, by His death, resurrection, ascension, and gift of the Holy Spirit, has made a place for us. Alleluia!
Prayer: Father, thank You for the uniqueness and perfection of Your plan for me (see Heb 11:40).
Promise: "We ourselves announce to you the good news that what God promised our fathers He has fulfilled for us, their children, in raising up Jesus." —Acts 13:32-33
Praise: Mike broke off his engagement after experiencing doubts and turmoil. He regained his peace after re-entering the seminary and eventually became the ordained priest God had called him to be.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our book, Who Am I in Christ? or our audio tapes AV7A-3, AV7B-1, or video V-7A, V7-B.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000