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" 'So that we can put faith in You,' they asked Him, 'What sign are You going to perform for us to see? What is the "work" You do?' " —John 6:30
Jesus was asked: "What is the 'work' You do?" (Jn 6:30) Jesus responded not by saying what He did but Who He was. Jesus said: "I Myself am the Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35). Life in Christ is not primarily what we do, but who we are in Jesus.
Stephen was a very successful worker. He took over an administrative position fraught with difficulties and successfully dealt with the problem (see Acts 6:1ff). He was even more gifted in preaching and evangelizing. Yet Stephen was not primarily concerned with continuing his good work. His priority was being a disciple of the Lord, even if that meant his work on earth had to end as Stephen became the first Christian martyr.
When we emphasize who we are more than what we do, we do not make our work less important, but more important. Work that expresses who we are in Christ is the most important work in the world. When we focus on being God's children, we are God's workers in an awesome sense.
In this Easter season, may our work rise from the dead of pride, selfishness, and greed. May we work because of who we are in the risen Christ.
Prayer: Father, teach me to be what You want me to be. May my doing always come from my being in You.
Promise: "No one who comes to Me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in Me shall ever thirst." —Jn 6:35
Praise: St. Athanasius defended Christ's divinity though in exile for seventeen years.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 1, 2016
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