When I see and hear people on a street corner, waving a Bible and screaming out their message of hellfire and damnation, I think that they’re… well let’s just say my thoughts are less than charitable. But you know what? They’re bold. They’re out there publicly acknowledging Jesus. How do you acknowledge Jesus?
In Mt 10:32 Jesus tells us that, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.” Hmm… Do I have to stand on the corner and thump my Bible and yell at people like those street evangelists? I don’t know about you, but that makes me a little nervous.
Of course we want Jesus to acknowledge us before God. What are some of the ways we can acknowledge our faith and trust in Jesus to others? Here are a few:
- We can go to Mass and join with others in the celebration of the Eucharist. The Mass is a public celebration. But does this meet the spirit of what Jesus is asking for? I don’t know.
- We can speak kind and be generous to everyone we meet; at the grocery, in the marketplace, at restaurants.
- Speaking of restaurants, we can pray before the meals comes. One of my friends even asks the waiter if they have anything to be prayed for. I love that.
Not many of us are called, much less comfortable, in proclaiming the Word of God publicly. But, we each can show by our deeds and how we interact with one another that we are motivated by Jesus to love God and to love our neighbor.
This is living stewardship. Stewards acknowledge that God is the source of all we are and all we have. Thus, as stewards, we strive to live as Jesus lived, in humble obedience to God in all things, leaving a legacy of kindness and generosity. How does the way you live, the way you use your Time, Talents, and Treasure acknowledge Jesus before others?
Photo Credit: Robert Davis
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