They are Beloved

Ismael Perez Acosta stands on the porch of his damaged home Oct. 23 in Lares,
Puerto Rico, more than one month after Hurricane Maria devastated
the island. (CNS/Bob Roller)

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

In respect to the Gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarch.  For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:28-29

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11

Piety

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:29-30

Study

The Lord will not abandon His people – no matter what we do.  On your Cursillo weekend experience, that subject was covered in the Habitual Grace talk.  God loves us.  There is NOTHING that we can do which will make God love us anymore nor any less.   However, our unfaithfulness has its price.  In God’s design, Israel’s (or Virginia’s) unbelief is used to grant the light of faith to others – in the case of Paul’s letter to the Romans, the irrevocable call now also goes out to the Gentiles.  Despite that, Israel (and Virginia) remain dear to God – still the object of special providence, the mystery of which will one day be revealed.

Yet this honored place in the Lord’s heart should not go to our head nor our ego.  Despite the honor, we are still called to be meek and humble of heart. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

In place of the yoke of the law, complicated by the detailed conditions imposed by the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus invites the beloved and burdened to take on the yoke of obedience to His word, under which they (we) will find rest.

Action

People in Puerto Rico still do not have rest weeks after the twin hurricanes devasted the island.  According to a story in the National Catholic Reporter, hurricane-related deaths in Puerto Rico have been attributed to drowning and illness, but many Puerto Ricans see a link between such deaths and poverty.

On a recent tour through Puerto Rico's central-western mountains, Catholic News Service found several people voicing support for this opinion.

"One has a higher probability to die in a hurricane if one is poor," said Ismael Perez Acosta, 71, who lives alone in a rural shanty in Lares. His 87-year-old house, almost completely covered by vegetation and barely seen from the road below, is a dilapidated small wooden structure built by his grandfather.

Hurricane Irma tore through the Atlantic Ocean, followed by Hurricane Maria ten days later, decimating the Caribbean and affecting half a million people. 

Hurricane Maria followed in Irma's path, making landfall on the island of Dominica with winds of 160 mph, impacting the full island. Once again, the Dominican Republic experienced major flooding and torrential rains.  The hurricanes have resulted in a loss of life, property and infrastructure, and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

Your gift through CRS will help provide shelter, water, and critical supplies, including tarps, tents, and hygiene and kitchen kits to families affected by these disasters.