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Being called means we have been given the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with that opportunity to share the favor bestowed on us. What are the expectations for those who have been chosen to receive the gift of faith? It is simply to share the faith and love that we have received with the rest of our world. It is simple to say and seems like it should be simple to do. If we know we have received an infinite love, then sharing it seems like the natural thing to do. Why is it so hard sometimes?

Memorial of St Teresa of Avila

Ephesians 1:11-14

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13

L uke 12:1-7  In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (2) Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. (3) Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed  upon the housetops. (4) "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. (5) But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! (6) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. (7)  Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Meditation by Susan Tinley

In today’s reading from Ephesians, we hear about being chosen. It was a common theme of the Old Testament about the Jewish Nation being chosen by Yahweh; in the New Testament we hear about being chosen by Christ.

In today’s parlance we may be more apt to think of being called.  Does this mean that somehow we are special and will receive more favor from God than others who are not chosen? Perhaps our parents had us baptized as infants and raised us as Christians. Does that somehow make us more special in the eyes of God than the individual raised in an environment that lacked any mention of God or perhaps even mocked the belief in God. What does this mean to be chosen or called by God?

It does not mean in any way that we are more special or deserving of God’s favor.  God loves everyone that he has created from the beginning of time to the embryo just conceived. Being called means we have been given the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with that opportunity to share the favor bestowed on us. What are the expectations for those who have been chosen to receive the gift of faith?

It is simply to share the faith and love that we have received with the rest of our world. It is simple to say and seems like it should be simple to do. If we know we have received an infinite love, then sharing it seems like the natural thing to do. Why is it so hard sometimes?

There is a lovely story that has been e-mailed to many, perhaps you have seen it.  It is about a young man who has the intellectual capabilities of a 7-year-old and his simple but beautiful faith in God. One night after he had gone to bed his sister went by his room and heard him saying, "Are you there, God? Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed..." She goes on to describe how his simple faith is an inspiration for her. He is free of yearnings for wealth or power; he is trusting, sincere and transparent in his relationships with others and loves freely.  This young man knows he is chosen in a way that most of us will have to work at throughout our lives. He embraces the opportunity and meets the responsibilities of being chosen in a simple way, free of the complications that get in our way of doing the same.

May God live under your bed.

The story, God Lives under the Bed, was written by Kelly Adkins. It can be found in its entirety at a number of websites including http://www.the-special-needs-child.com/Under-The-Bed.html

Supplementary Reading

B.I.

You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter. – Luke 11:52

I cannot recall when this term was coined, but I remember not wanting to be called one.

B.I., as you know, stands for Bad Influence. I often heard classmates and friends branding this girl and that boy as “B.I.” Because they were known as such, I knew I had to stay away from them.

Ironically, at some point in my life, I had been a B.I., too. When there was a prayer meeting that I was just too lazy to attend, I think I might have influenced some of my friends to skip it because they did not want to go there without me. When we were late for Sunday Mass, I might have told my family to skip that, too, and hang out in the mall instead so we could bond over a good meal. Without being conscious of it, I stopped them from spending time with God.

As Christians we are not only tasked to proclaim the goodness of the Lord. We must also be a good influence on others, and lead them closer to God by example.

I hope one day we would hear of more people being labeled as “G.I.” (Good Influence) than “B.I.”

Were there times in your life when you were a bad influence on another person? How can you repair that?

You have shown us, Lord, how it is to live uprightly. May we always be conscious of our actions and intentions in order to lead others, by example, to love You more.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen..—Joel & Victoria Osteen

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

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