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Friday, August 18, 2000

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St. Jane Frances de Chantal


Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63
Isaiah 12:2-6
Matthew 19:3-12

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radically new

"Let him accept this teaching who can." —Matthew 19:12

God's thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways (Is 55:8). "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are" His ways and thoughts above ours (Is 55:9).

For example, man's ways are divorce and re-marriage. All human societies have had divorce and re-marriage, because lifelong monogamy is very difficult for us with our fallen human nature. However, God's ways are: No divorce and no re-marriage. He can have such extreme ways because He is God, Who has given us a new nature in the crucified and risen Christ.

Also, man's way is that we humans have sexual relations. Sexual relations are obviously natural. Nevertheless, God's way for some is that they have no sexual relations. Some disciples of Jesus are called to renounce "sex for the sake of God's reign" (Mt 19:12) and in imitation of Jesus.

These are only two of thousands of examples of God's ways being different and higher than ours. "This means that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now all is new!" (2 Cor 5:17) Renew your Baptism. Be radically new (see Lay Members of Christ's Faithful People, Pope John Paul II, 10).

Prayer:  Father, may my life be such that those who don't understand You will not naturally be able to understand my way of life.

Promise:  "God indeed is my Savior; I am confident and unafraid." —Is 12:2

Praise:  The mother of St. Jane Frances died when Jane was only eighteen months old. Her father, a busy government official, dedicated himself to raising his young daughter. His efforts bore great fruit as Jane grew up to be a canonized saint.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, March 8, 2000


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 9, 2000