Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,

We encourage you to reflect on Thursday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/103119.cfm

If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Romans 8:31b-39
Responsorial: Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31
Gospel: Luke 13:31-36

Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
“What will separate us from the love of Christ… I am convinced that [nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35, 38-39

Today’s words from Paul’s letter to the Romans must be among the most consoling words in all of scripture!

When St. Monica’s first began an outreach ministry to inactive Catholics, our pastor chose these words in his invitation letter. The clear message: no matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, what bad things have happened in your life, or what difficult circumstances you are in right now, God’s love for you never wavers.

No matter what instances of exclusion, indifference, alienation, or separation you may have experienced, there is One who is always on your side and wants to welcome you home with His unconditional love. The image of the father rushing to greet his Prodigal Son is the way God desires to embrace each of us. Our part is to gratefully respond.

Scottish preacher, A. J. Gossip, beautifully expressed God’s eternal love for each one of us:

Who is it that has helped you most? Has it not been those who believed in you? Perhaps there may be few such left. The light of expectation may have died out of the most friendly and hopeful eyes; and you yourself may have lost heart. Ah! but there is still One whose faith in you has never wavered. And how wonderful it is that that one should be Jesus Christ!
 
“It was a wonderful dream God dreamed,” Christ says, “when He created you; it was a stately being that was in His mind when you were fashioned; and I can make you all He meant that you should be.”
 
Today may you gratefully embrace God’s love for you,
Jean Galanti