Today’s first reading, 1 Cor 1:
1-9, explodes with awesome reminders of who we are in Christ Jesus and the
abundant generosity of our God. Like St.
Paul, each of us is called “by the will of God” to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. By baptism
each of us has “been sanctified”—made
holy—“in Christ Jesus” and are “called to be holy”. As a disciple, as
for an apostle like Paul, our call includes proclaiming--by the way we live our
lives-- the Good News” of who Jesus is and of God’s abundant generosity to us
in Christ Jesus (spelled out in the Gospels, in the writings of St. Paul, St. Peter,
St. Timothy, St. John, in the Acts of the Apostles and in the book of Revelation
that describes our Catholic Liturgy or Mass (See The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn).
May God give you the wisdom to ponder these realities, to read The Lamb’s Supper (available through
Amazon or Barnes and Noble), to sit in solitude reflecting on 1 Cor. 1:1-9.
St. Paul prays for us, asking that we be given grace , that
is a dignity, a beauty, blessings, mercy, kindness, loveliness, an elegance from God our Father and from Jesus Christ—gifts
only God can give. These gifts, in
their authenticity, their depth, and their breadth, do not come from the world. St. Paul also prays that we are given peace,
that is, a calmness, a serenity, a harmony, a freedom and reconciliation from
God our Father and from Jesus--gifts, again, that the world cannot give. May
you take time to ponder these truths!
Furthermore, St. Paul reminds us that, in Christ Jesus, we
are “enriched in every way…not lacking in
any spiritual gift” as we “wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus
Christ.” God, St. Paul tells us, “will
keep…[us] firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What promises. God does not lie! An
d God is faithful to His promises!
Do you believe? Are your hopes anchored in these promises or
are you looking elsewhere for these gifts, that is, in sources not capable of
yielding these results?
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