This week's readings Week of October 20 - 26 Sunday, Oct. 20, 2002 Reading I: Is 45:1, 4-6 Reading II: 1 Thes 1:1-5b Gospel: Mt 22:15-21 Monday, Oct. 21, 2002 Reading I: Eph 2:1-10 Gospel: Lk 12:13-21 Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002 Reading I: Eph 2:12-22 Gospel: Lk 12:35-3 Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002 Reading I: Eph 3:2-12 Gospel: Lk 12:39-48 Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002 Reading I: Eph 3:14-21 Gospel: Lk 12:49-53 Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 Reading I: Eph 4:1-6 Gospel: Lk 12:54-59 Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002 Reading I: Eph 4:7-16 Gospel: Lk 13:1-9 Pope's Prayer Intentions October General Intention That parishes and catechists may work together for the new evangelization: That catechists may have the prayers and collaboration of their parish communities for the successful accomplishment of the new evangelization. October Mission Intention That proclaimers of the word teach Christ's love for the poor: That missionaries, priests, religious, and the laity courageously teach Jesus Christ's love for the poor.

Give thanks:
That you were chosen by God

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

Saint Paul has got it right when he gives thanks to God for those loved and chosen by God. It was to them - and to us - that the Gospel has come through the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

Each week as we gather to worship God, to give thanks and praise to the Lord for his gift of his word, his Church, and sacraments, giving thanks to God for one another who have been chosen by God should be part of our celebration. Do we do that? Do we thank God for one another? Do we thank God for choosing us?

"God has chosen us to become members of his Kingdom by how we live our life on earth. Give thanks that you were chosen."

We should!

In our families, give thanks to God for our parents who cooperated with the Lord as co-creators in bringing our lives into the world.

Give thanks to God for our brothers and sisters, who love us in spite of our faults. Give thanks for our grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and other family members who are closest to us on earth. Give thanks for our children, whom God has given to us to nurture and form in his grace.

Readings for 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Oct. 20, 2002) Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b Matthew 22:15-21

God has chosen us to be part of that family. Give thanks that you were chosen!

In our community, give thanks for our civic leaders who try to work for our common good. Give thanks for our firefighters, police, emergency workers, and others who protect our safety.

Give thanks for the teachers in our schools. We give thanks for the many citizens and volunteers who make our community a better place. God has given them all to us for a good earthly life.

God has chosen us to be part of that community. Give thanks that you were chosen!

In our world, give thanks for our country, and for the freedom for which it stands. Give thanks for the richness of the international "global village." Give thanks for the opportunity to be of service to those in need at home and in other lands, to make sacrifices so that other people's lives may be improved.

God has given us, as Americans, as Catholics, the call and the gift to be good stewards of the abundant material and spiritual riches with which he has blessed us.

God has chosen us to be of special service to the world. Give thanks that you were chosen!

In our families, our community, and in the world, God has chosen us at this time and place.

As citizens of our nation and of the world, we are to make a return of God's gifts to serve the common good. As citizens of the Church and one day of heaven, we are to make a return of God's gifts to serve all who are in need, to spread the Gospel, to teach others about Jesus.

"I am the Lord, and there is no other," we read in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. You are my chosen one, "I have called you by your name." We who are chosen and called by God show our love for the Lord and for one another by how we respond with thanks for having been chosen and blessed.

God has chosen us to become members of his Kingdom by how we live our life on earth. Give thanks that you were chosen!

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.