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Monday, September 26, 2011

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Sts. Cosmas & Damian


Zechariah 8:1-8
Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23
Luke 9:46-50

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the god of the impossible

"Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in My eyes also, says the Lord of hosts?" —Zechariah 8:6

The people of Jerusalem had been disobeying God for centuries. Zechariah prophesied the impossible: that the people of that city and maybe even our cities would be faithful and holy (Zec 8:3). The Lord said that even if this seemed impossible to everyone else, it was not impossible for Him.

At one of the greatest moments in the history of the human race, when God became man in Mary's womb, the archangel Gabriel concluded his revelation to Mary with the words: "Nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37). After Jesus said how difficult it was for a rich man to enter His kingdom, He added: "For man it is impossible; but for God all things are possible" (Mt 19:26). The Lord proclaimed through the prophet Jeremiah: "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind! Is anything impossible to Me?" (Jer 32:27)

God is God of the impossible. He is God of the Incarnation, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost. He is God of new birth through Baptism and of heavenly Bread in the Eucharist. We have seen God do the impossible daily, personally, and intentionally. He does more than we can ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). Because God is God of the impossible, we need never lose hope. We can rejoice in Him always (Phil 4:4) and praise Him always. He is God of the impossible.

Prayer:  Father, through the intercession of St. Jude, may I believe in and receive the impossible.

Promise:  "Whoever welcomes this little child on My account welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him Who sent Me." —Lk 9:48

Praise:  Sts. Cosmas and Damian were not only brothers by birth; they were brothers in the Lord who served the needs of the poor with great sacrifice.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 1, 2011

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