In today's first reading, Acts 13: 13-25, Paul speak to the people in the synagogue of God's works among the Israelites. The following actions are pointed out to us: 1) God chose the ancestors of the Israelites, 2) God exalted the people, 3) God led them through the wilderness, 4) God put up with them in the desert, 5) God gave them their land as an inheritance, 6) God provided judges for them, 7) God gave them Saul as a king, 8) God removed Saul, as he violated the covenant, 9) God raised up King David, testifying: "I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish" and, finally, 10) God brought Israel, and us, a savior, Jesus, the Christ.
WOW! Every one of those statements about how God blessed, provided for, guided and sustained Israel is true of how God works in your life and mine! We have been chosen and exalted in our baptism and the other sacraments we receive, including the signs (sacraments) of God's presence in our daily lives. We have been and are led through the wildernesses and deserts of our own lives, including the present "desert" caused by the coronavirus. And, yes, God puts up with us in the difficult times of our lives when what comes from us is mostly complaints against God and others. Furthermore, however, God has given us and holds for us an inheritance in heaven. God provides judges for us to restore justice in the lives of those deprived of such and He raises up leaders for us--our own parents, grandparents, surrogate mothers and fathers, teachers, counselor, mentors, friends--men and women after his own heart who will carry out every wish coming from God. And yes, He has brought us a savior, Jesus, the Christ!
Can it get any better? For me, no! For you?
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