MINISTERS OF RECONCILIATION (2 Cor 5:18) - One Bread, One Body, 2/15/2008

The February issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles
include:

The Family Is Critical To Building Peace
God Worked In "Clash Of The Choirs"
In Defense of Life: An Issue On Which To Base Your Vote
Jesus Needs Courageous Witnesses

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Friday, February 15, 2008

Ezekiel 18:21-28, Psalm 130, Matthew 5:20-26
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021508.shtml

MINISTERS OF RECONCILIATION (2 Cor 5:18)

"If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother
has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first to be
reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." —Matthew
5:23-24

Does anyone have anything against you, even if you don't have anything
against them? Immediately, go and be reconciled with this person. "Lose no
time" (Mt 5:25). Because you are a follower of Christ, you are a minister
of reconciliation. You put out your hand first. You apologize first. You
visit or call to break the silence of the "cold war." You may have already
done this and been rejected, but in imitation of Jesus, you try to reach
out again and again.

Jesus prays we would be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). This
means we must constantly be forgiving one another and accepting the grace
to be of one heart and one mind (Acts 4:32). We will put up with
injustice, and let ourselves be cheated (1 Cor 6:6-7) rather than take a
Christian to court. We will even give up legitimate pleasures if they are
an occasion of sin to others (1 Cor 8:9-13). We will accept one another as
Christ accepted us, "for the glory of God" (Rm 15:7).

"May God, the Source of all patience and encouragement, enable you to live
in perfect harmony with one another according to the Spirit of Christ
Jesus, so that with one heart and voice you may glorify God, the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rm 15:5-6).

Prayer: Father, may we "make every effort to preserve the unity which has
the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force" (Eph 4:3).

Promise: "If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if
he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely
live, he shall not die." —Ez 18:21

Praise: Often when Justin feels the most spiritually dry, God uses him to
spread His Word.

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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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