We pray you will receive Jesus, the Word Incarnate, in a new way into your
heart.
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Saturday, December 29, 2007, St. Thomas Becket
1 John 2:3-11, Psalm 96, Luke 2:22-35
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/122907.shtml
W. W. J. D. ?
"The way we can be sure we are in union with Him is for the man who claims
to abide in Him to conduct himself just as He did." —1 John 2:5-6
There is a popular bracelet worn by young Christians these days. It bears
the letters "W. W. J. D. ?" ("What Would Jesus Do?") Many teenagers wear
this bracelet as a reminder to conduct themselves daily just as Jesus did
(1 Jn 2:5-6). It is their way of taking to heart Jesus' words and binding
them on their wrist as a sign of how to live (see Dt 6:6-8). This is an
excellent way to begin a life of discipleship.
The writer of 1 John knew that by imitating the conduct of Jesus, we would
have certain knowledge of our union with Him. This is true because Jesus
conducted Himself in a way that is humanly imitation-proof; that is, His
conduct is so high above our ways (Is 55:8-9) that no human being can
imitate His conduct without His grace to live according to the Spirit (see
Rm 8:5).
When people try to keep Jesus' commandments and follow Him without totally
committing their lives to Him as His imitators (i.e., His disciples),
Jesus will eventually ask something of them impossible according to the
flesh. It will always involve "rising early" each morning to pray (Mk
1:35), carrying a daily cross (Lk 9:23), loving our enemies (Mt 5:44), and
complete obedience to the will of God (Lk 22:42). Sometimes this may even
involve selling all we have and giving it to the poor (see Mt 19:21-22),
giving up our home (Lk 9:58), or living a celibate life (Mt 19:12). Jesus
will give us the grace to imitate Him. Follow Him now.
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus as my Example. I will "follow
in His footsteps" (1 Pt 2:21).
Promise: "Whoever keeps His word, truly has the love of God been made
perfect in him." —1 Jn 2:5
Praise: St. Thomas returned to his archdiocese even at the risk of his
life, just as Jesus would have done.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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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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