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Thursday, November 12, 2015

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St. Josaphat


Wisdom 7:22—8:1
Psalm 119:89-91, 130, 135, 175
Luke 17:20-25

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wise up

"Passing into holy souls from age to age, [Wisdom] produces friends of God and prophets. For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom." —Wisdom 7:27-28

To be "friends of God and prophets," we must be wise (Wis 7:27). To live in God's love (Jn 15:10), we must be wise (Wis 7:28). To defeat wickedness rather than be defeated by it, we must be wise (Wis 7:30). Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah and His people would have "a spirit of wisdom" (Is 11:2). Christ crucified is "the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor 1:24).

Are you wise? Fools often think they are wise. Therefore, to prove we are wise we need more than our opinion or the opinions of other fools. A telltale sign of wisdom is our readiness for the end of the world, Jesus' final coming, and Judgment Day. For example, the five wise virgins were wise because they were always ready for the Bridegroom's return (Mt 25:1ff).

Are you ready for Jesus' return? Are you crying out with the Christians of the last twenty centuries "Maranatha!" ("Come, Lord Jesus!") (Rv 22:20)? If you are ready for Jesus' return now, you are probably wise in most other areas of your life. If you are not ready for Jesus' return now, you are probably foolish in many other ways. However, you can repent and give your life to Jesus. Then you will change from a damned fool to a wise man or woman. Wise up.

Prayer:  Father, "give me Wisdom, the attendant at Your throne, and reject me not from among Your children" (Wis 9:4).

Promise:  "The reign of God is already in your midst. [Jesus] said to the disciples: 'A time will come when you will long to see one day of the Son of Man but will not see it.' " —Lk 17:21-22

Praise:  St. Josaphat was quoted that he was "ready to die for the holy union" of the Church.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Judgment Day on audio AV 75-3 or video V-75 or on our website download CD 75-3 or DVD 75.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 20, 2015

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