Actions Speak

August 14: Thursday of Week 19 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Ezekiel 12:1-12; Psalm 78:56-57, 58-59, 61-62; Matthew 18:21 to 19:1

Thoughts to help us surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

“I am a sign for you.” Ezekiel 12:11

To minister as priests by Baptism, we first have to be prophets by a lifestyle that “raises eyebrows.” God told Ezekiel to say nothing until the people asked him what he was doing. Then he was to explain that he was acting out what was going to happen to them.

People don’t listen until they have questions. Many don’t have questions until something goes wrong in their life. Then we have to be there for them.

But we have to be there with the example of our actions more than with words. Someone said, “Words have only the value of our actions.” If we can’t point to what we are doing as proof we believe what we say, our words are a waste of time.

Jesus is the Way. In what ways are you following him in opposition to the culture? To your peer group?

Jesus is the Truth. How much time do you give to reading and reflecting on his words? Jesus said it is only “if you abide in my word,” that you “are truly my disciples” and “will know the truth,” truth that “will make you free” (John 8:31).

Jesus is the Life. Are you obviously investing your life in what helps his Life grow in you?

We can only give what we live. Live to give his Life to everyone you know.

PRAY: “Lord, let me give what I live.”

PRACTICE: Live to “bear fruit.”