“He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9). of Friday July 7, 2023

Praying with Scripture, I easily imagine how I’d hopefully behave. If Jesus spoke directly to me, then of course I’d leap up and follow him! Really, though, when God asks something of me, I find I am less than eager: I drag my feet, resist, and worry about my own plans. I become stubborn and selfish. I think of all the reasons I’d rather not serve. 

Yet, the great invitation of today, of this time, is to make service to God a priority. When we do, we can’t help but become different. As we serve, we’ll realize that we won’t just be influencing others. We will also find ourselves changing for the better. Through each act of selfless love, our minds and hearts are joined more closely to Christ.