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Tuesday, April 29, 1997

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St. Catherine of Siena


Acts 14:19-28
Psalm 145
John 14:27-31

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come-backs

"I go away for a while, and I come back to you." —John 14:28

Jesus went away for a while when He was crucified and put to death. Then He came back when He rose from the dead.

Jesus went away for a longer while when He ascended into heaven. He will come back at the end of the world to take us with Him.

Paul went back into Lystra (Acts 14:20) after its people had stoned him, dragged him out of town, and left him there for dead (Acts 14:19).

Paul and Barnabas went back to the towns where they had preached in order to encourage the disciples (Acts 14:21).

If we are going to come back from the dead, if we are going to be ready to meet Jesus when He comes back, we will have to make a few other "come-backs" first. We must come back to the people and places where we have been hurt. We must return in forgiveness and mercy. We must also return to those people with whom we have shared the Gospel. We have a responsibility to see that baby Christians become mature disciples of Christ. Jesus commanded us to make disciples (Mt 28:19).

If we come back in forgiveness and discipleship, we will come back from the dead and meet the Lord Jesus coming back to the earth.

Prayer:  Father, may I never come back to sin but always come back to those who have hurt me.

Promise:  " 'Peace' is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful." —Jn 14:27

Praise:  Catherine had the spiritual gift of counsel. Three Dominican priests had to be assigned to keep up with all the confessions resulting from people whom Catherine led to repentance.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 9, 1996


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 15, 1996