I Thank God for You

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, October 22nd, 2023:
​Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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1 Thessalonians
1.1-5​
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From Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the Church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the Gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Chosenness begins before our conception and extends into our journey of faith, though at some point, requires a response from us to choose Him back. We know God chose us to be in this world by virtue of the fact that we are here. What we are chosen FOR becomes an act of faith and discernment as we grow and mature on the road that leads to Him. I have had the gift of witnessing God choose a particular purpose for a particular person, and perhaps more beautifully, also witnessed the return of that person’s gifts to God as they chose Him right back. He came to them not only in word but in power and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The call of the chosen is undeniable, and He has one for each of us should we choose to receive it. 

Being in community with the faithful who patiently walk with God awaiting this call is an honour that falls afresh on me today, so I want to give thanks for all of you, mentioning you in my prayers.

Father, 

I thank You for the found; they offer hope to the lost.
I thank You for the steadfast of heart, who turn me back to You.
I thank You for the meek, for they diffuse the angry.
I thank You for those who suffer with You, they are a light to the sick.
I thank You for the marginalized; they call to mind my privilege.
I thank You for the helpers; Your hands and feet on Earth.
I thank You for the teachers; the voices of Your wisdom.
I thank You for the mothers, who nurture and guide through You.
I thank You for the sisters; strongholds on every side.
I thank You for the child-like; for their purity of heart.
I thank You for the doubters; their questions lead me to Your Truth.
I thank You for the artists, reflecting Beauty in this world.
I thank You for the gardeners, who yield nourishment and life.
I thank You for the needy, who open a door for giving.
I thank You for the givers, who sustain me when I’m weak.
I thank You for the fathers who protect, with strength under control.
I thank You for the brothers, who encourage and support.
I thank You for the prophets, with Your eyes unto our souls.
I thank You for the hopeful, who cast joy in solemn spaces.
I thank You for those who challenge me, so I will call upon Your grace.
I thank You for all the chosen ones who have witnessed the gift of heeding Your call.
I thank You for all the faithful, the living stones of Your Love.

All glory and honour is Yours, almighty Father, forever and ever.




Lori MacDonald

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