Echoes

~~~ Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ Isiah 45:1, 4-6 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5B ~~~

~~~ Matthew 22:15-21 ~~~

Today the we have so many wonderful texts to draw from so here goes...

I have called you by your name... I am the LORD, there is no other.

We hear this verse so often, but do you really believe
 that you were actually called by name by God himself?
Some people have a conversion experience maybe they feel
that they have actually been called by name.
What about those who are called but choose to ignore the call,
what happens to them?
What about those who know they have been called
but choose to toss his invitation aside...
believing they have better things to do with their life.
And then we have those for whatever reason who are embarrassed
for being called lest they be ridiculed or made fun of by their friends.

Jesus understands all of our excuses...he's heard it all.
He still keeps calling us by name.

 ...you are not concerned with anyone's opinion,
for you do not regard a person's status.

God sees us in our stripped down bare bones existence.
This is who he is calling...he is not concerned with the facade
we have created for ourselves.
You know the person we present to others...
the one who others want to know.
It happens even if we do not realize it at the time.

Because we have been called by name...because we know this to be true;
we are in a position to believe that those around us
have also been called by name.
If I can look at you and know in my heart that you
 have been called by name,
why would I not want to pray for you?

We give thanks to God always for all of you,
remembering you in our prayers,

I have written here before just about this beautiful verse by Paul.
There is always a reason to give thanks...
remember giving thanks is good for everyone.
We all benefit from feeling appreciated.
No one likes to be taken for granted.

For our gospel did not come to you in word alone,
but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

The call of your name by God continues like the echo in a canyon.
It gets softer as time goes on but if you listen it can still be heard.

The inspired word contained in the Bible
 are constantly reverberating out to each of us.

As the echo becomes faint it is repeated again and again.
Echo...the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener.
The call comes again, he knows your name...

You are Blessed...the call of your name never ceases.

With thanks for each of my readers.
You are in my prayers.
~~~ Peace~~~