Giving it up for Jesus
The Acts of the Apostles are read at Mass during the Easter season. If you're not attending Mass daily, pick up your Bible and spend a few minutes each morning reading the Acts. It's the story of the first years of the Church from its birth at Pentecost. A lot of it focuses on St Paul.
In chapter 16, we read that Paul takes off with Timothy on one of his journeys. Timothy was Greek in background, not Jewish. Paul decides to circumcise him before they go off to preach. He thought it was necessary, since they'd be dealing with Jews who would insist on only dealing with a circumcised person (required in Jewish Mosaic law - something about mixing with Gentiles causing you to be impure).
Timothy is an adult when he's circumcised. So the thought here is about him submitting to circumcision for the sake of Christ. Remember there were not anesthetic drugs at the time. Just think about this. Hmm...
Now, think about the idea of sacrificing, or giving something up for Christ's sake. What are you really called on to do for Christ? Does it seem like it's too hard, or that you don't have the time because of your work is just too demanding? That's normal. We all feel this way at times.
Maybe think about why you couldn't get to Mass today, or read some Scripture, or say a rosary. Then think about Timothy submitting to circumcision, never mind traveling all over the place preaching the gospel to frequently hostile groups of people.
Now ask Timothy to help you to make the effort.
In chapter 16, we read that Paul takes off with Timothy on one of his journeys. Timothy was Greek in background, not Jewish. Paul decides to circumcise him before they go off to preach. He thought it was necessary, since they'd be dealing with Jews who would insist on only dealing with a circumcised person (required in Jewish Mosaic law - something about mixing with Gentiles causing you to be impure).
Timothy is an adult when he's circumcised. So the thought here is about him submitting to circumcision for the sake of Christ. Remember there were not anesthetic drugs at the time. Just think about this. Hmm...
Now, think about the idea of sacrificing, or giving something up for Christ's sake. What are you really called on to do for Christ? Does it seem like it's too hard, or that you don't have the time because of your work is just too demanding? That's normal. We all feel this way at times.
Maybe think about why you couldn't get to Mass today, or read some Scripture, or say a rosary. Then think about Timothy submitting to circumcision, never mind traveling all over the place preaching the gospel to frequently hostile groups of people.
Now ask Timothy to help you to make the effort.
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