I know that I say this way too often, but today’s first reading contains one of my favorite verses in all of Scripture. It is a verse of great encouragement and one that I try to base my life and my ministry on. What is it. I’ll tell you in a sec. The Gospel reading today is from Mark 1, where a leper approaches Jesus and asks to be made clean.
Hebrews 3:13 – Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.
What if you only had 24 hours to live? What would you do to make the most of that? I’m going to guess that you would seek out everyone you love and let them know how much they meant to you throughout your life. At least, that is what I think I would do. And I think this is what the writer of Hebrews is driving at. Believe it or not, you are not guaranteed tomorrow. Who knows what awaits around the next corner? We shouldn’t live in fear of death, but we should embrace life!
So, what are you waiting for?? Resolve today to encourage at least one person. Perhaps you haven’t told your spouse that you love them recently. Or told your children how proud of them you are. Or told a co-worker how much you appreciate his/her hard work. Or told your priest or pastor what a blessing they are to you and so many others. Go ahead! Take two minutes and do it now! By the way…have I told you lately how blessed I am to have you as part of my daily walk with Christ? If not, I am!!
Father, thank you for your awesome blessings in our lives. Give us today the gift of encouragement, and the grace to use that gift each and every day. Amen.
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Your dynamic energy and your wise reflections are a gift. Thank you and many blessings for you and you family!🙏🙏🙏