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October 16, 2017

In the Gospel reading Jesus rebukes so many people who refused to listen to the Good News, who, despite all his wonderful cures and miracles, still demanded signs from him. No sign will be given to them, except the sign of Jonah, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” (Jn 2: 19)

The people had hardened hearts, were blind and deaf to his ministry. The people of Nineveh listened to Jonah; the Queen of the South traveled far to hear the wisdom of Solomon: yet here there is greater than Jonah and Solomon.

In the first reading, Paul saw and listened to the signs of the coming of the Messiah and faithfully summarized the Good News of Jesus Christ.

What signs do we see of God’s Good News today? May our eyes, ears and hearts see, hear and read these signs.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 6

<< Monday, October 16, 2017 >>

St. Hedwig
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Romans 1:1-7
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Psalm 98:1-4

Luke 11:29-32
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CALLED AND LOVED BY NAME

"Greetings from Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called..." �Romans 1:1

Paul was very conscious of being "called to be an apostle" (Rm 1:1). He was also quite aware that he was writing to those "called to belong to Jesus Christ" (Rm 1:6) and "called to holiness, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rm 1:7). Being called was so important to the early Church that the root meaning of the word we translate "church" is "the called out." The early Christians considered themselves to be the elect, the specially chosen, "the called out," called to a special love of the Lord.

For human beings, to be special implies exclusivity, not inclusivity. If everyone's special, no one's special. Therefore, we may not feel specially chosen, because we know that God loves everyone. However, the Lord is not bound by our limitations. He can love everyone with a personalized, individualized love. He made each of us as one-of-a-kind. He knows each of us so much better than we can ever know ourselves. He loves each of us not with a generic love; rather, He calls, knows, and loves us each by name (Is 43:1). He has numbered the hairs of our heads (Mt 10:30) and has counted our tears (Ps 56:9). He knows and cares about our comings and goings (Ps 139:3ff).

Each of us is called � specially, uniquely chosen for the Lord's love. Live in His love (Jn 15:9). Answer the call!

Prayer: Father, I thank and praise You for Your personal, intimate love for me.

Promise: "At the judgment, the citizens of Nineveh will rise along with the present generation, and they will condemn it. For at the preaching of Jonah they reformed, but you have a greater than Jonah here." �Lk 11:32

Praise: Although St. Margaret Mary only lived forty-three years, her devotions to the Sacred Heart have flourished for over three centuries.