Homily for Wednesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time

For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/103107.shtml

We usually assume that Calvinists believe in predestination, not Catholics. So what kind of predestination is St. Paul talking about in his letter to the Romans? Well, Catholics believe in absolute predestination, but not particular predestination. We believe that God knows each one of us by name, and he knew us even before we were born. And those whom God foreknew he predestined absolutely to become his children. God wants all those born in this world to become not only children of this world, but children of his heavenly kingdom, and He sent his only Son so that all men can be saved. Jesus himself proclaimed his mission to not lose anything of what was given him by his heavenly Father. So God predestines all to receive the invitation to become his children, but he respects the freedom that we have to reject his invitation. Thus, Catholics believe in absolute predestination, but not particular predestination. We have real, not perceived freedom, and we can choose to live as children of this world only. That is why Jesus asks us to strive to enter the narrow gate. Many are those who love this world; few indeed are those who love the kingdom of heaven!