We pray you will receive Jesus, the Word Incarnate, in a new way into your
heart.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 27, 2007, St. John
1 John 1:1-4, Psalm 97, John 20:1-8
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/122707.shtml
LOVING THE INVISIBLE
"This life became visible; we have seen and bear witness to it, and we
proclaim to you the eternal life that was present to the Father and became
visible to us." —1 John 1:2
God, Who is Spirit (Jn 4:24) and therefore invisible, became visible to us
when He was conceived in Mary's womb and born in Bethlehem. When the Word
became flesh, it became possible for us to see God (1 Jn 1:1). John "saw
and believed" (Jn 20:8). "Mary Magdalene went to the disciples. 'I have
seen the Lord!' she announced" (Jn 20:18). "The other disciples kept
telling [Thomas] 'We have seen the Lord!' " (Jn 20:25) Thomas became a
believer because he saw the Lord, but "blest are they who have not seen
and have believed" (Jn 20:29).
However, Jesus' incarnation and birth are not primarily ways of becoming
visible, but are expressions of infinite love. Therefore, our relationship
with the Lord is not based on a sensory response to His visibleness but on
our faith-response to His love. "Although you have never seen Him, you
love Him, and without seeing you now believe in Him, and rejoice with
inexpressible joy touched with glory because you are achieving faith's
goal, your salvation" (1 Pt 1:8-9).
Prayer: Father, may I "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).
Promise: "Our purpose in writing you this is that our joy may be
complete." —1 Jn 1:4
Praise: St. John's faith carried him to the foot of the cross and then to
the glory of the resurrection.
(For a related teaching, order our tape on "Jesus"' "Incarnation" on audio
AV 52-3 or video V-52.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
December 1, 2008 through January 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July
30, 2007
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2007 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment