Saul, the first king of Israel, was outwitted by some asses shortly before he was anointed king (1 Sm 9:4). Then Saul asked Samuel, the seer, where the seer was. Samuel responded that Saul could see the seer right before his eyes, because Samuel was the seer (1 Sm 9:18-19). Saul seemed to have trouble doing anything right. Saul tried to get out of being made king by "hiding among the baggage" (1 Sm 10:22). He didn't do that right either, for they found him and made him king. Nevertheless, the Lord accepted Saul as he was and anointed him. The Lord accepts us just as we are. He has "come to call sinners" (Mk 2:17).

After the Lord accepts us as we are, He refuses to accept our staying as we are. He calls us to repentance and growth in holiness. He even became a human being and died on the cross to make it possible for us to receive a new nature and to become holy as He is holy (see 1 Pt 1:16).

The Lord invites everyone to His wedding banquet. All are to come as they are but not stay as they are. We must put on the wedding garment of righteousness and holiness, or we will be bound and thrown "out into the night to wail and grind" our teeth (Mt 22:13). Come as you are to no longer be as you are.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2015

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