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Monday, February 4, 2008
2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13, Psalm 3, Mark 5:1-20
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GOD, OUR VINDICATOR
"Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will look
upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is
uttering this day." —2 Samuel 16:11-12
Many things in this life are worth defending. We are to "fight hard for
the faith" (Jude 3), defend truth (Sir 4:28), uphold the rights of the
poor (Is 1:17), and make sure that the name of God is held as holy (Lk
11:2).
David was cursed viciously by a fellow Israelite as he fled Jerusalem in
disgrace, having been deposed as king by his own son (2 Sm 15:14ff; 2 Sm
16:5ff). He did not defend himself or his honor. He didn't even explain
that he had been wronged by his son. He accepted without bitterness the
calumny of another as a chastisement which would ultimately be for his
good (see Jb 2:10).
Jesus, the Son of David, took this humility a step further. "He humbled
Himself" (Phil 2:8) and accepted the death of a criminal though He was
innocent (Lk 23:32, 41, 47). Through it all, "He was silent and opened not
His mouth" in self-defense (Is 53:7).
When we know God is our Vindicator, we can resist the temptation to defend
our reputation. God intends to do a much better job of vindicating His
children than we could ever do on our own behalf. Jesus announces "a day
of vindication by our God" (Is 61:2). "This is the lot of the servants of
the Lord, their vindication from Me, says the Lord" (Is 54:17). "He will
make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be
your vindication" (Ps 37:6). "Your vindication shall go before you" (Is
58:8). Shout with Job: "I know that my Vindicator lives" (Jb 19:25).
Prayer: Father, I put my life in Your hands (Ps 31:6).
Promise: "Go home to your family and make it clear to them how much the
Lord in His mercy has done for you." —Mk 5:19
Praise: Cardinal Gabriel let the accusations against him prove themselves
false while he prayed for his accuser.
(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
February 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati,
August 14, 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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