17 October 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

#OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist

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TOPIC: DO I ALLOW GOD TO ACT IN MY DAILY LIFE?

First Reading: Ephesians 1: 1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98: 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
Alleluia: John 14: 6
Gospel: Luke 11: 47-54

Our saint for today is St. Ignatius of Antioch. Born in Syria, he became a convert to Christianity. Eventually, Ignatius became bishop of Antioch in Syria. He was a wise leader, who could explain the faith beautifully. He called the Eucharist, "the medicine of immortality and an antidote against death". When Emperor Trajan had Ignatius arrested, he refused to worship false gods and was sentenced to die in the Coliseum in Rome.

In his letter to the Christians in Rome, he said, "The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God". St. Ignatius of Antioch died about the year 107 as he bravely faced the lions in the Coliseum.

My brothers and sisters, today's saint bravely accepted the Lord's invitation to be his disciple - "to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily and to follow him." And indeed, St. Ignatius followed our Lord Jesus all the way to the cross when he refused to deny him at the point of death.

The invitation to follow Jesus is an invitation to be one with God - one mind, one heart, and one will with him. This is the purpose of the key of knowledge - to see God more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly. May God's plan in the fullness of time be fulfilled in us as we journey to heaven with Jesus Christ leading us.

This is the 1635th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: Let us listen to our brother Rouquel Ponte, a member of the CFC Board of Elders, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]