no excuses
"I will fulfill my vows before those who fear Him." —Psalm 22:26
We received a noteworthy letter recently from a reader of One Bread, One Body who is a consecrated religious sister living in a convent. She told of the many sisters in her Order, and described the multitude of charitable works done by her fellow sisters, as well as their faithful lives of intercession, adoration, and worship. These religious sisters, as well as many other consecrated religious sisters, brothers, and priests, daily fulfill their vows (Ps 22:26). They lead the way in showing God's people how to bend the knee in worship of God and proclaim to all that "Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil 2:10-11). When Jesus called them, they made no excuses, unlike the folks Jesus mentioned in today's Gospel passage (Lk 14:18). They have "put aside everything to follow" Jesus (Mt 19:27).
Jesus says: "Some there are who have freely renounced sex for the sake of God's reign. Let him accept this teaching who can" (Mt 19:12). "From the very beginning of the Church there have been men and women who have renounced the great good of marriage to follow the Lamb wherever He goes, to be intent on the things of the Lord, to seek to please Him, and to go out to meet the Bridegroom Who is coming. Christ Himself has invited certain persons to follow Him in this way of life" (Catechism, 1618).
Are you one of those persons? If you are, will you tell Jesus "Yes," or will you give Him yet another excuse?
Prayer: Lord, pour out Your love anew into the hearts of those who serve You in consecrated or lay single vocations (Rm 5:5). May they know the immeasurable scope of Your power in them (Eph 1:19).
Promise: "I want My house to be full." —Lk 14:23
Praise: St. Charles, an archbishop at age twenty-two, used all that was on hand, material wealth, position, etc, to further the life of the Church.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 1, 2008
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