Sometimes I wonder about my several cousins who died early in life and possibly did not accept the faith they were baptized into. Only God knows what is on a person’s heart. We do not judge anyone. As I sit here on a cold, winter’s day, I wonder if my family, friends, or even my own wife (at times) see me as a Christian. We are sinners saved by grace.

I know many people who were not baptized as babies. But the first reading, the responsorial psalm, the verse before the Gospel, and the Gospel are all addressed to adults. Read them. They are speaking to all of us. Meditate on them.

Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. I spoke to a man 30 years ago about Jesus Christ and his offer of salvation. This 40-year-old man told me he would live his life any way he wanted until he got old, and then would believe and receive Jesus. The day of salvation is now; there is an urgency of responding to God’s call to us in the present moment. We are fools to put this call from God’s sacred heart to our hearts off.

Father Eymard stated, “To love God is the substance of life, for both time and eternity.” (Taken from A Year with Fr. Eymard by Father Erasto Fernandez SSS).

Let Us Pray:

Dear heavenly Father, give us the strength and courage to say yes to your call of salvation for our souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen.