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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

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St. Bruno
Bl. Marie-Rose Durocher


Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm 130:1-4, 7-8
Luke 10:38-42

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a world waiting for you

"The people of Nineveh believed God." —Jonah 3:5

Nineveh, a murderous city of 120,000 people, converted after hearing the prophetic warning of Jonah (see Jon 4:11). Do you believe that there are cities in the world today which would repent en masse if someone would only speak God's Word to them?

Saul was the worst sinner in history, a fierce persecutor of the Church (Acts 22:4; 26:10-11), and an accomplice in murdering the first Christian martyr (1 Tm 1:13; Acts 8:1). Probably no one believed he would convert, become a great Christian missionary, and write much of the Bible. But he did!

Miraculous mass conversions all around us are just waiting to happen, if only a Jonah or Ananias (Acts 9:10ff) would obey God. A person, city, or nation may reject God five-thousand times. Yet who knows if the next time will be the time of conversion? We'll never know unless someone tries.

When we stand before the Lord on Judgment Day, we will not be judged on how many converts we made but on how many opportunities to share Jesus we seized or missed. The Church teaches: "The true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers...or to the faithful" (Catechism, 905).

"Listen to what I say: open your eyes and see! The fields are shining for harvest!" (Jn 4:35) Share your love. Share Jesus. You'll be surprised!

Prayer:  Father, may the love of Christ impel me (2 Cor 5:14).

Promise:  "She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and listened to His words." —Lk 10:39

Praise:  St. Bruno lived a life of solitude and prayer, but he gave all up in obedience to God when he was called upon to assist the Pope.

Reference:  (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Job Performance for Jesus, or our audio tape AV 43-3 or on video V-43, or on our website CD #43-1.)

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

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