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Wednesday, October 19, 2005

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St. John de Brebeuf,
St. Isaac Jogues & Companions


Romans 6:12-18
Psalm 124
Luke 12:39-48

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mucho gracias

"When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted." —Luke 12:48

The Lord has given us life and new life. He gave us love, even to death on the cross. Jesus shed His blood to take away our sins. He rose from the dead and promised us a like resurrection. The Lord poured out the Holy Spirit on us and filled us with power from on high. He gave us each other, the Church, our families, and our mother Mary.

Jesus loved us when we didn't love ourselves. He freed us from eternal hell-fire and degrading bondage to the devil. He has taken us back again and again. He has healed us, been perfectly faithful to us, unfailingly given us our daily bread, and delivered us from the evil one. Without Him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). We cannot name even one good thing in our lives that Jesus is not responsible for (1 Cor 4:7).

We have been given much. Therefore, much will be required of us. After all Jesus has done for us, the least we can do is the most we can do. Love Him "with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind (Lk 10:27).

Prayer:  Jesus, You gave Your life for me. I give my life for You.

Promise:  "Rather, offer yourselves to God as men who have come back from the dead to life, and your bodies to God as weapons for justice." —Rm 6:13

Praise:  St. Isaac lost several fingers due to the savagery of the American Indians he was evangelizing. He escaped their captivity, but later returned to them. He preferred to lose the members of his own body, and ultimately, even his life, rather than lose any of the souls of his tormentors to the fires of hell.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on Developing A Deep Personal Relationship with Jesus on audio AV 52-1 or video V-52.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 21, 2005

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