"O HOLY NIGHT" - One Bread, One Body, 1/3/2008

Read through the whole Bible in 2008. See our reading schedules at:
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/ThroughBible.asp
and
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/FrAlPlanReadingBible.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, January 3, 2008

1 John 2:29—3:6, Psalm 98, John 1:29-34
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/010308.shtml

"O HOLY NIGHT"

"If you consider the holiness that is His, you can be sure that everyone
who acts in holiness has been begotten by Him." —1 John 2:29

One of the main purposes of the Christmas season is to grow in holiness —
to become more like God, to take on God's character. This holy Christmas
time begins a holy year in a holy life, which begins a holy eternal life.
The Lord has created us to be holy as He is holy (see 1 Jn 3:3), to be
"perfect in holiness" (1 Thes 5:23). We should "hunger and thirst for
holiness" (Mt 5:6) and seek first God's way of holiness (Mt 6:33). We must
strive "for that holiness without which no one can see the Lord" (Heb
12:14).

The Lord expects "perfect" holiness from us because He has given us the
power to become holy. Because we have been begotten by Him through faith
and baptism, we have a new nature by which we can live a holy life (1 Jn
2:29). Even if we fall into temptation and live according to our old
sinful nature, we can repent and be washed clean in Jesus' blood.

Finally, the Father and the Son have given us the third Person of the
Trinity, the Holy Spirit, Who makes us holy. Because of new life in the
waters of baptism, forgiveness through Jesus' blood shed on Calvary, and
the indwelling of the Spirit, the Lord expects us to be holy as He is
holy. Have a holy Christmas season.

Prayer: Father, may my desire for holiness be stronger than my desire for
pleasure.

Promise: "When you see the Spirit descend and rest on Someone, it is He
Who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit." —Jn 1:33

Praise: Frequent Confession and Holy Communion help Peter remain
constantly open to the Holy Spirit.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "Be Holy, for I Am Hol"y.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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 © 2008 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