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Friday, November 4, 2005

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St. Charles Borromeo


Romans 15:14-21
Psalm 98
Luke 16:1-8

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gung-ho

"The owner then gave his devious employee credit for being enterprising! Why? Because the worldly take more initiative than the other-worldly when it comes to dealing with their own kind." —Luke 16:8

The people of the world are usually charged up. They are in overdrive to make money and satisfy their carnal desires. It is nothing to work fifty, sixty, or more hours a week. Some even work two jobs. They'll stay up all night just to get a buzz. Almost no sacrifice seems too great to get ahead or feel high.

Jesus says that we Christians should have that kind of initiative and drive — not motivated by carnal desires but by God's love. If we spread the good news with the fervor in which the world markets the bad news, what an evangelism-explosion would result! If we stayed up all night praying while the world was preying, what victory we would see! The good news doesn't look so good if not proclaimed with abandon.

Jesus said: "I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited! I have a baptism to receive. What anguish I feel till it is over!" (Lk 12:49-50) Let's run out of the upper room. May our walk match our talk. We need a new Pentecost to conquer the world (1 Jn 5:5).

Prayer:  Jesus, I'm sorry for not running down the street telling of You, Your crucified love, and resurrection-power.

Promise:  "I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ had done through me to win the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, with mighty signs and marvels, by the power of God's Spirit." —Rm 15:18-19

Praise:  St. Charles advised others to meditate in order to "find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in others."

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our series of tapes on Evangelization on audio AV 55-1, AV 55-3, AV 17B-1, or video V-55.)

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

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