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Sunday, October 2, 2011

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27th Sunday Ordinary Time


Isaiah 5:1-7
Philippians 4:6-9
Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20
Matthew 21:33-43

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rejected!

"The Stone Which the builders rejected has become the Keystone of the structure." —Matthew 21:42; Psalm 118:22

It is so easy to reject Jesus. Our lives are like houses (see Mt 7:24). If we have the opportunity to make Jesus the Cornerstone of our lives, but do not do so, then we have rejected Him. If we refuse to provide for and protect the poor, the marginalized, babies in the womb, or our enemies, we reject Jesus. He said: "As often as you neglected to do it to one of these least ones, you neglected to do it to Me" (Mt 25:45). If we fall away from a one-hundred percent commitment to the Lord or never give our lives to Him, we reject Jesus, continue to crucify Him, and hold Him up to contempt (Heb 6:6). If we don't accept the Lord's government of His people through the Church, we reject the Lord (1 Sm 8:7). If we don't accept the Pope, bishops, parents, husbands, or leaders, we reject Jesus and the Father. Jesus said: "He who hears you, hears Me. He who rejects you, rejects Me. And he who rejects Me, rejects Him Who sent Me" (Lk 10:16). We can also reject the Lord by ignoring His presence in Holy Communion or in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If we don't even bother to read the Bible, isn't that rejecting the Lord?

Jesus has never rejected anyone (Jn 6:37), but He has been rejected more than any other person. Love Jesus; don't reject Him. Make reparation to Jesus for the abuse He suffers daily.

Prayer:  Jesus, to not accept You is to reject You. I don't want to reject You. May I not sin. I accept Your grace.

Promise:  "Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude." —Phil 4:6

Praise:  Praise You, Jesus, Lord of hosts. We rejected You, yet You restored us (Ps 80:20). You are infinite Love and Mercy. We will love and praise You forever.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)

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