Devotional Thoguht of the Day…..

¹  With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. ²  My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief ³  for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.
Romans 9:1-3 (NLT)

Jake:  Me and God, We got an understanding
Elwood:  We’re on a Mission from God. 
(from the movie, “The Blues Brothers)

466      The enemies of God and his Church, manipulated by the devil’s unremitting hatred, are relentless in their activities and organization. With “exemplary” constancy they prepare their cadres, run schools, appoint leaders and deploy agitators. In an undercover way—but very effectively—they spread their ideas and sow, in homes and places of work, a seed which is destructive of any religious ideology. What is there that we Christians should not be ready to do, always with the truth, to serve our God?  (1)

They claimed to be on a mission from God, a mission to save the home, the orphanage they grew up in so that others would have a place. 

They did what they had to do, or perhaps what they thought they had to do.  With little option, they got the band back together, did a little touring, and raised the money that it took, even though they broke a few laws along the way. They raised the money even though it meant they would suffer, that they would serve time.

I am not advocating breaking the law, but I see the same desire, the same passion in Paul’s words to the church in Rome.  He grieved over the fact that they didn’t know Jesus, that they didn’t have the peace of God.  They were cut off from life and hope, from dwelling in the presence of God, because either actively or passively they rejected Jesus.  They denied Him.

This grief was so intense that he indicated he would even take their curse, which he would be willing to be eternally cut off from God; if that is what it took for them to be reconciled. Jake and Elwood understand and would approve – they were willing to do time in the Illinois State Pen, and based on the movie – several times their efforts brought them close to death.

Josemaria asks us a similar question – what is the that we should not be ready to do, always with the truth, to serve our God?

Is going to jail a possibility?  Yes

Is jumping a drawbridge?  Of course!

Is playing the blues, dancing like a fool, wearing a thin blue tie and a cool hat?  If that is what it takes.

Is dying?  Yes

Though we can’t give up our salvation, that desire can and should be there, if we see a friend, or an enemy, who needs to know God’s love!  

Is enduring poverty?  What about enduring being the victim of crime?  What about being humiliated? Yes and Yes and yes.

After all – we got an understanding with God.  He loves us.

And therefore we are on a mission from God.

Escriva, Josemaria. The Forge (Kindle Locations 1780-1785). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.