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Saturday, January 15, 2000

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1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1
Psalm 21
Mark 2:13-17

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as i am, but not as i will be

"People who are healthy do not need a doctor; sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not the righteous." —Mark 2:17, our transl.

Saul, the first king of Israel, was so stupid that He was outwitted by some asses shortly before he was anointed king (1 Sm 9:4). Then Saul asked Samuel, the seer, where the seer was. Samuel responded that Saul could see the seer right before his eyes, because Samuel was the seer (1 Sm 9:18-19). Saul seemed to have trouble doing anything right. Saul tried to get out of being made king by "hiding among the baggage" (1 Sm 10:22). He didn't do that right either, for they found him and made him king. Nevertheless, the Lord accepted Saul in all his handsome (1 Sm 9:2) stupidity and anointed him. The Lord accepts us just as we are. He has "come to call sinners" (Mk 2:17).

After the Lord accepts us as we are, He refuses to accept our staying as we are. He calls us to repentance and growth in holiness. He even became a human being and died on the cross to make it possible for us to receive a new nature and to become holy as He is holy (see 1 Pt 1:16).

The Lord invites everyone to His wedding banquet. All are to come as they are but not stay as they are. We must put on the wedding garment of righteousness and holiness, or we will be bound and thrown "out into the night to wail and grind" our teeth (Mt 22:13). Come as you are to no longer be as you are.

Prayer:  Father, make me holy in every aspect of my conduct (1 Pt 1:15).

Promise:  "You gladdened him with the joy of Your presence." —Ps 21:7

Praise:  Roger fell on the sidewalk and tore the cartilage in his knee. He was scheduled for surgery. Roger received prayers for healing. Jesus completely healed his knee, and the surgery was canceled.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 21, 1999


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1999