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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

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St. Bridget of Sweden


Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
Psalm 71
Matthew 13:1-9

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the new generation

"The Lord answered me, Say not, 'I am too young.' " —Jeremiah 1:7

Some of today's prophets are repeating the prophecy of Pentecost: "I will pour out a portion of My Spirit on all mankind: Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions" (Acts 2:17; Jl 3:1ff). They claim that the Lord is raising up young people in a special way to renew the face of the earth, empowering new Jeremiahs "to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant" (Jer 1:10).

As young as these Jeremiahs are, they are not too young by God's standards. He says: "To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak" (Jer 1:7). We must tell our young people: "Let no one look down on you because of your youth, but be a continuing example of love, faith, and purity to believers" (1 Tm 4:12).

Satan may have done more to destroy this generation of young people than any generation in history. He is so afraid of what the Lord can do through this new generation that he has arranged for one-third of them to be killed even before their birth. Those who make it to birth Satan has tried to abuse, brainwash, debilitate, and enslave through dysfunctional families, secular humanism, substance abuse, and sexual promiscuity. The survivors of the survivors Satan has tried to keep from knowing God's love and believing in Him. However, some young people have survived Satan's onslaught. If they give their lives totally to Jesus, they will be used to renew the face of the earth (see Ps 104:30).

Prayer:  Father, may our young people see what's happening.

Promise:  "Part of it, finally, landed on good soil and yielded grain a hundred- or sixty- or thirtyfold. Let everyone heed what he hears!" —Mt 13:8-9

Praise:  St. Bridget was blessed to mother eight natural children, one of whom was a canonized saint, as well as countless spiritual children.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 4, 2008

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