Empowered by Faith and Convinced of God's Promises

In today's first reading, Romans 4: 20-25, we read about Abraham's faith: "Abraham did not doubt God's promise in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what God had promised he was also able to do. That is why it was credited to him as righteousness . But it was not for him alone that it was written that it was credited to him; it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification."

May I, Lord, like Abraham, not doubt your promises to me: the promise of salvation, of being justified, of being made righteous by the Blood of Jesus!  May I not doubt the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out upon me at baptism and confirmation and reconfirmed throughout the events of each day when I call upon you for the help of the Spirit, that is, for the gift of wisdom, courage, prudence, understanding, counsel and fear of the Lord; and for the gift of piety.  May I not doubt your presence, Lord, at the core of my being and existent in every human being.  Every human being is an image of you; may I see your image in each person. Also, Lord, may I seek you in all that is, including the universe and all in it!  May I not doubt your promise to set me free and that you will save me from all of my enemies, especially those within me: pride, fear, envy, avarice, lust, covetousness, greediness, selfishness, and anything that blocks me from surrendering to Your will and serving you and others in faith, hope and love.  May I not doubt your mercy, compassion, and unconditional love.  May I not forget that you are forever freeing me to "worship you without fear" (Luke 1: 75) and that, in your sight, I am holy and righteous, made so by the blood of Jesus!  I ask for these graces in Jesus' name and through the intercession of  Mary, the mother of Jesus and my mother, too. Amen.

Christian Calling: Contrast to Secular Invitations

In today’s first reading, 1 Cor 6:1-11, Paul is challenging us concerning the choices we make when in serious conflict with our “brothers and sisters”?  He is asking why we have recourse to a secular legal system without seeking out judges among ourselves who adhere to the values of the Gospels, to the commandments and church law, to persons endowed with the wisdom of the Spirit, faithful to the Lord, living God-centered lives?  Do we go to the Lord and seek His counsel concerning “everyday matters” before seeking secular advice? When having recourse to others, do we first look at the background of such a person.   “Can it be that there is not one among you [servants of the Lord] wise enough to be able to settle a case between brothers [and sisters]?”

Why is it that we are following the secular legal system that promotes gay marriages, abortion on demand, wife swapping, co-habiting, cheating on one’s neighbor, engaging in slander against our opponents, judging and condemning others, and so on, according to the standards of the world?  “Do not be deceived,” Paul says to us; “neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the Kingdom of God. That is what some of you used to be,” Paul reminds the Corinthians; “but now you have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.”

Let us, too, remember our background. We too have been washed in the blood of Christ. We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and we are justified in the name of Jesus, our Savior.  We are not unbelievers. We are not outside the fold. We are members of the one sheepfold shepherded by Jesus Himself. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me” (John 10:27), not the voice of a secular society. Or do we?