fertility
"God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: 'Be fertile and multiply and fill the earth.' " —Genesis 9:1
God's first words to humanity were "Be fertile" (Gn 1:28). These were also His words to Noah after the flood. God is saying the same thing to us today (cf Heb 13:8). He is the God of life. He is Life itself (Jn 14:6). He wants big, happy families. He does not want us artificially meddling with His creation and development of a human person.
The Lord wants us to be not only life-giving but also "new life"-giving. He desires to give not only life to the body but also new life in the Spirit. Whether or not God has given us many natural children, He calls us to bring forth supernatural children to fill all the earth. Paul says: "You are my children, and you put me back in labor pains until Christ is formed in you" (Gal 4:19). "It was I who begot you in Christ Jesus through my preaching of the gospel" (1 Cor 4:15).
If we are in unity with Jesus the true Vine, we will automatically be fertile and bear fruit (Jn 15:5). He wants His house full (Lk 14:23). But if we are not life-giving, we may not be alive, but among the living dead (1 Jn 3:14).
Prayer: Father, may I try to give eternal life to the next person I meet who doesn't have it.
Promise: " 'And you,' He went on to ask, 'Who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Messiah!' " —Mk 8:29
Praise: Fr. Ted takes seriously his role as spiritual father to the members of his parish and makes himself available as each brings his concerns to him.
Reference: (For Lent, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 2006 & September 18, 2006
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