THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE - One Bread, One Body, 12/18/2007

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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72, Matthew 1:18-24
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/121807.shtml

THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE

"Joseph her husband, an upright man unwilling to expose her to the law,
decided to divorce her quietly." —Matthew 1:19

Christmas will be a "silent night," but may not be a "holy night." The
silence may be the silence of awe and worship, or the deafening silence of
divorce. Joseph was tempted to divorce Jesus indirectly by divorcing Mary.
We can also divorce Jesus by divorcing ourselves from the poor. This
refers not only to those materially poor but also the poorest of the poor,
the spiritually poor, those who do not know Jesus personally.

If we do not provide food for the starving and the gospel for the
unbelieving, we have indirectly divorced ourselves from Jesus. Our
Christmas will have sad silence. If we "go tell it on the mountain" and
"live simply so others can simply live," we will have room in our inn for
the Christ Child (Lk 2:7). We will be divorced from sin, slavery, and
death, and Christmas will have the silence where "all is calm, all is
bright."

There are sounds in your silence. Is your silence an acceptance or a
rejection of the Christ Child?

Prayer: (Pray silently.)

Promise: "This is the name they give Him: 'The Lord our Justice.' " —Jer
23:6

Praise: "O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, Who showed Yourself to Moses in
the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: Come,
stretch out Your mighty hand to set us free."

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "Hearing God", or on audio AV
45-1 or video V-45.)

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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.

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