Is 45:1, 4-6
1 Thes 1:1-5b
Mt 22:15-21

For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not.

I have noticed billboards along the freeway that say, “Put your name here…or put your business’s name here.” It seems to always catch my eye even though I have no need for a billboard with my name on it.

As I read the scripture for the Sunday of October 19th I thought about the billboards. In the first reading and second reading, I imagined personalizing the passages. “I have called you by your name, MC, giving you a title, though you knew me not.” In the second reading I imagined Paul praying for me, thanking God for me. Those simple thoughts were very hopeful and in their own way consoling.

In this coming week as I speed through my daily life, I shall try to do something different. I will take one of those billboards that are ready for my name on it and I will imagine it saying, “MC I have called you by name, and I give thanks for you daily.”