Thursday, October 19, 2023
> >St. John de Brébeuf, St. Isaac Jogues &
the North American Martyrs
god courting us
“...to prove His righteousness...” —Romans 3:25, 26, RNAB Why should Almighty God have to prove anything about Himself? God evidently wants to prove a lot to humanity! He wants us to listen to His case. The prophets speak of a court case (see Ps 50:1-7; Mi 6:2-3). “God must be proved true” (Rm 3:4).
The Holy Spirit testifies (1 Jn 5:6-9). God the Father testifies (Jn 5:32, 37). Jesus testifies (Jn 5:36). St. John the Baptizer testifies (Jn 5:33). The Scriptures testify (Jn 5:39). God is trying to “prove His righteousness” to us (Rm 3:25, 26, RNAB). Are we listening? Have we made up our minds that God doesn’t care what human beings think? Have we accordingly closed our minds and hearts? The above Scriptures show that God cares about what we think, so much so that He longs to persuade us with loving care, to woo our hearts with His love (see Hos 2:16). God is indeed bringing us into His court, but it is to court us out of love rather than to condemn us.
Listen to God — through His Word, His Church, His preachers. Beg the Lord for an open heart and open ears. Believe in Jesus; have faith in the Father. The Holy Spirit will prove the world wrong (Jn 16:8). Jesus is a tested and precious Cornerstone (Is 28:16). He is even proven in affliction (Wis 2:19). Believe the testimony about the Lord. Then add your own testimony for others to hear.
Prayer: Father, why should You ever have to explain anything to me? Give me “ears open to obedience” (Ps 40:7) and a heart open to respond to Your courtship of me with love.
Promise: “With You is forgiveness, that You may be revered.” —Ps 130:4
Praise: Some North American Indians mangled the hands and fingers of St. Isaac Jogues. He responded by persevering in his ministry and baptizing nearly seventy-five of them.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 2023"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.