DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Thursday, January 3, 2018

Paul writes … “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!“ – Philippians 2:5-8

Too often in today’s Consumer-Christianity, I observe preachers peddling an enticing gospel, one that views Christians more as pampered princes and princesses than as humble servants.  Within their holy sounding words is  sanctified arrogance and a glorified self-indulgence.  And when I witness this consumer-ization of the Christian Way, I weep at how far distant it is from the genesis of Christianity.

At the heart of the Christian Way is a self-giving Love, a Love that is willing to sacrifice all for the sake of those who are beloved.  At the heart of the Christian Way is a sharing of God’s blessings with others, the mercy, the grace, even the material blessings of Providence.  At the heart of the Christian Way is a humility that does not seek to control others but rather to serve others.  The Christian Way is about sharing one’s basket of bread with the crowds; the Christian Way is about washing the feet of the road-worn and weary; the Christian Way is about giving of self and the Christ within one’s self.

I believe the life of holy devotion is set plainly before us when He spoke about a widow who gave her two small coins, all she had to live on, while the rich gave only from the excess of their wealth.  The life of holy devotion is as a poor woman giving her last two coins.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz