http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/SecretConfession.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, March 10, 2008
Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, Psalm 23, John 8:1-11
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/031008.shtml
BATH AND BODY
"She decided to bathe." —Daniel 13:15
Today's first reading is more than a story of good triumphing over evil.
It's an Old Testament preview of Baptism. When Susanna enters her bath (Dn
13:17-18), she is surrounded by the powers of evil, as represented by the
two corrupt elders. Susanna is immersed in a dilemma of whether to save
her life by yielding to evil or to cling to holiness and purity at the
cost of her life (Dn 13:22). Susanna rises from her bath determined to
trust in God, saying to the evil judges, "It is better for me to fall into
your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord" (Dn 13:23).
Susanna rose from the waters of her bath free, pure, and victorious over
the kingdom of darkness. As we are baptized, we emerge from the waters
redeemed and uncondemned (see Rm 8:1). Most of us were baptized as
infants. We can't remember emerging from the waters free and victorious.
In her wisdom, the Church therefore calls us to regularly renew our
Baptisms. This makes our Baptism new and alive for us. Just as important,
it challenges us to live our Baptism in a new, holy, and faith-filled
lifestyle.
In a few weeks, you will renew your Baptism at Easter Vigil and/or Easter
Sunday Mass. As Susanna did, make the decision to entrust your life
completely to the Lord. Prepare now to renew your Baptism. Reject sin and
Satan. Hunger and thirst for holiness (Mt 5:6). Refuse to compromise with
the kingdom of darkness in any way, even if you must endure persecution
for holiness' sake (see Mt 5:10). Choose to be pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn
3:3).
Prayer: Jesus, you gave up Your body for me (Lk 22:19). I give up my body
for You. Be glorified in my body (1 Cor 6:20).
Promise: "The Lord is my Shepherd...Beside restful waters He leads me; He
refreshes my soul." —Ps 23:1-3
Praise: Every day while dressing, Laura consciously prays to "put on love"
and a garment of praise to ready her to serve God (see Col 3:14; Is 61:3).
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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
No comments:
Post a Comment