Chosen

Readings for Thursday October 14, 2010

First Reading: Ephesians 1:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98
Gospel: Luke 11:47-54


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. (Eph. 1:3-6)

Did you know that you are special? No, it's not your hair or your eyes ... no, it's not your fantastic fashion sense ... it's not even your athletic ability. You are special because you are one of God's great creations, and He wants you to join Him in heaven after this life on earth. You are chosen, that is what makes you special.

Saint Paul tells us today in Ephesians that we are chosen, and He speaks of God's great love for us. Saint Paul tells us that, "as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will ..." (Eph 1:4-5) Paul tells us that it is through God's love, that He has chosen us through Christ. He has a plan for each of us, and although we may not understand it at the time, we need to trust in God. God's will is that we reach Him in heaven, knowing that, we must trust in the path that He sends us on, and believe that it is all a part of a plan to get us to Him.

In the gospel today, Jesus brings some harsh truth to the pharisees and scholars of the law, for they have taken their positions and God for granted. They forgot that they are on earth to serve God, and not themselves. Let us always remember that we are chosen out of love, and to never take for granted what God gives us. For it is not what we do that makes us special, but what we are given through Christ our Lord.

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. We praise you for the many gifts in our lives, and thank you for all that we have and all that we are. Lord, increase our faith and lead us deeper in love with you so that we may serve you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Lord, we pray for all those searching for you now, may they soon find the joy and peace that comes from a life with you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.