October 29, Thursday Weekday

Save me, O lord, in your mercy.-- Psalm 109:26

Mass readings: Romans 8:31-39 / Luke 13:31-35

First-Round Draft Choice

Remember choosing teams in grade school? Two captains were selected by mutual agreement and then each began picking his or her teammates. Oh, the joy of being chosen early. Oh, the dread of being the last to go.

In today's first reading Paul implies that God picked you: ''If God is for us, who can be against us?'' He looked over His roster and said, ''This is who I want now. This is where I want that person.'' You. Here. Now. In another passage, Jesus says, ''It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you'' (Jn 15:16). The ''game'' isn't over. May we all play well today.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for continuing to give me opportunities to serve You.