PIERCED EARS - One Bread, One Body, 3/19/2008

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

Lenten Almsgiving Teaches Love
Arab Christians Have Vital Role
In Defense of Life: "We Cry"
CRS Helps Children Affected By Agent Orange
Prison To Praise
Christians Should Reflect On Meaning Of Pain

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008, Holy Week

Isaiah 50:4-9, Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34, Matthew 26:14-25
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/031908.shtml

PIERCED EARS

"Morning after morning He opens my ear." —Isaiah 50:4

Today, like last Sunday, we hear that the Lord wants to open our ears.
This may be understood literally. The Lord wants to "pierce" our ears.
This is a Jewish custom marking a person as a slave (see Ex 21:6). The
Lord isn't telling us just to listen to Him in a few situations. He
commands us to acknowledge His ownership of our entire lives (1 Cor
6:19-20).

At this, we are tempted to rebel (Is 50:5). We naturally want to run our
own lives — if not always, at least some of the time. Moreover, if we let
Jesus pierce our ears and make us His slaves, we will be a sign of
contradiction (see Lk 2:34) to those who have refused to become slaves of
Christ. They will either repent or persecute us. They may even beat us and
spit at us (Is 50:6).

If we become slaves of Jesus by not giving in to selfishness and fear, He
will also make us His disciples. As disciples, our tongues will be
"trained...to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them" (Is 50:4).
Slaves of Christ become disciples who speak words and live lives which
transform the world for Jesus. Selfish and fearful people refuse to be
slaves of Christ and so become slaves of sin (Rm 6:16) who deform the
world. Choose your slavery.

Prayer: Jesus, when I renew my baptismal promises on Easter, I will decide
to be Your slave forever.

Promise: "My appointed time draws near. I am to celebrate the Passover
with My disciples in your house." —Mt 26:18

Praise: Monica wears a ring to remind herself that she first and foremost
belongs to Jesus.

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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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