Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it.
Yesterday we talked about the fact that all we do is only an imitation of something done by either God the Son or Satan. Taken out of context, that can make it sound as though we are unimportant and that there is “nothing new” about us. But the paradox is that, in losing one’s life of “originality” and actively attempting to be an imitator of Christ, we become…original! Mortal sinners are mortally dull for they lose their individuality by entering into the anonymity of the same stupid sins as all other sinners. Saints, in contrast, are never the same as other saints. They are all highly individual and all fascinating. That is the meaning of the “new name” in today’s verse. You are intended to see, praise, and express something in the life and glory of God that nobody else ever has or ever will. You are called to make a contribution to history and to the good of the kingdom of heaven that no one else ever could. To do that, you must overcome your pride and receive the hidden manna of the Eucharist, of course. But that can be done with the help of the Spirit who speaks to all the churches – and to you, if you have ears to hear. Today, listen to the Spirit and take a step toward that utterly unique place He has prepared for you in the glory of the Father.