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Saturday, August 11, 2018

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St. Clare


Habakkuk 1:12—2:4
Psalm 9:8-13
Matthew 17:14-20

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visionary?

"Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily." —Habakkuk 2:2

The Lord has a great plan for all people, and each one of us has been given a glorious part in that plan (see Heb 11:40). When we recognize our part in God's plan, we have "the vision" (Hab 2:2). We should write down this vision as accurately as possible and discern the various circumstances of our lives accordingly.

Many Christians have difficulties in getting the vision. They are ignorant of God's Word and therefore of God's plan and their part in that plan. This problem can be rectified by studying the Church's teachings (especially in the Catechism) and by studying the Bible.

Possibly the major difficulty in getting the vision is our lack of faith that we have been adopted as children of God and therefore are called to greatness. Satan accuses us night and day (Rv 12:10). He tries to get us to doubt that we are sons and daughters of God the Father (see Mt 4:3, 6). If we yield to these temptations, we believe that we are called to nothing but selfishness, pleasure-seeking, and trivial pursuits. Under these circumstances, we will never get the vision, for the vision is a call to greatness, not foolish selfishness. Therefore, hear the Spirit cry out in your heart "Abba" ("Father") (Rm 8:15). Then see the vision.

Prayer:  Father, I will not waste what remains of my earthly life on doing my own thing (1 Pt 4:2).

Promise:  "Then Jesus reprimanded him, and the demon came out of him. That very moment the boy was cured." —Mt 17:18

Praise:  St. Clare's faith was so strong that she founded a religious order that eventually included her mother and two sisters. God rewarded Clare by giving her a vision of Mass from her sickbed.

Reference:  (To help get God's vision for your life, read the Bible every day. Order, listen to, or download our series An Introduction to Each Book of the Bible starting with CD 21-1 or DVD 21 on our website.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 15, 2017

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