boat people
"They wanted to take Him into the boat, but suddenly it came aground on the shore they had been approaching." —John 6:21
When the apostles wanted to take Jesus into their boat, they went three miles through rough, stormy waters in a moment. Without Jesus in the boat of our lives, we struggle to go nowhere. With Jesus in our boat, more great things happen in one second than in many previous years. We get Jesus into our boat by:
- living our Baptisms and accepting Him as Lord, Savior, and God on His terms,
- repenting of not living our Baptisms and by going to Confession,
- forgiving those who have offended us, and
- concentrating "on prayer and the ministry of the word," according to our vocation (see Acts 6:4).
Life is a sea voyage in a storm. Of ourselves, we will struggle, become frustrated, be afraid, and drown. With Christ in us and we in Him, our burdens are light (Mt 11:30), our peace is beyond understanding (Phil 4:7; see also Jn 14:27), and we are secure and free forever.
Thank Jesus that He has saved us by becoming a human being and dying on the cross so as to enter the boat of human existence and suffering. Accept Jesus as Lord of your boat and life. Live no longer for yourself but for Him (2 Cor 5:15).
Prayer: Father, thank You for saving me from "a fate worse than death."
Promise: "The word of God continued to spread, while at the same time the number of the disciples in Jerusalem enormously increased. There were many priests among those who embraced the faith." —Acts 6:7
Praise: Pope St. Martin I endured inhumane treatment in prison, public insults, and floggings for the sake of the truth.
Reference: (For information on our discipleship retreats, the married couples' retreat, or the 40-hour family camp, call 937-587-5464 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, November 15, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 16, 2001