TWO-TIMING - One Bread, One Body, 2/13/2008

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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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Jonah 3:1-10, Psalm 51, Luke 11:29-32
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021308.shtml

TWO-TIMING

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time." —Jonah 3:1

God came to Jonah a second time (Jon 3:1), and a sinful city of 120,000
people repented (Jon 3:5; 4:11). Jesus came to Peter a second time (Jn
21:1ff), and soon three thousand people converted and were baptized (Acts
2:41).

We are called to spread God's word, and the Lord gives us a major role to
play in getting out His word. Certainly, developing and exercising our
spiritual and natural gifts, our creativity at spreading the word of God
and permeating the culture with the Gospel (Catechism, 899) are important.
That's why God calls us and gifts us with the Holy Spirit. That's why we
write this booklet! However, the biggest issue is not our abilities, but
whether we will get off the couch and get to work.

Notice the parable of the sower and the seed (Mk 4:3). Jesus doesn't
mention whether the sower was emotionally distressed, bitter, happy, or
skillful. The only thing Jesus says about the sower is that he "went out
sowing" (Mk 4:3). That is, the sower got up that morning and put the seed
out. God's word has power of its own (Is 55:10-11; Heb 4:12). It grows and
spreads of itself (Mk 4:27), not because of the merits of whoever sows it.

"There is no chaining the word of God!" (2 Tm 2:9) So, Satan instead tries
to persuade us to slip into some chains. If he can shackle us with chains
of sin, addictions, compulsions, sloth, fear, apathy, etc., he's kept the
word of God from spreading as far as it otherwise would. Have you let God
down? God lets you start a second time. Get out there and get out God's
word.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I be generous in doing Your will and spreading
Your word.

Promise: "The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and
all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth." —Jon 3:5

Praise: Richard reads the Bible for the blind.

(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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