PRI Reflections on Scripture | Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr

Finding God In Our Hearts with Msgr. Don Fischer

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12d ago 6:04

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Matthew 10:28-33

Jesus said to his Apostles:

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body

but cannot kill the soul;

rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy

both soul and body in Gehenna.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?

Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.

Even all the hairs of your head are counted.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others

I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

But whoever denies me before others,

I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Reflection

The last line can be disturbing if not understood clearly. Jesus makes clear he has deep love and deep concern for all of us. He knows everything about us and he also has one unique quality. He honors our freedom. He refuses to make us believe in him. And what he's saying, ultimately is, if you choose not to accept me, I cannot force you to do that.

And if you don't do that, I can't reach you. I can't heal you. I can't help you.

Closing Prayer

The love that God has for us is hard for us to grasp. It's a love that is freely offered and must be freely received. There's great sadness in Jesus when he says the last line of this passage, because he knows he cannot make you do anything that you don't choose. So bless us God with a constant, consistent choice for all the gifts that you give us. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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