FOR BETTER AND FOR WORSE - One Bread, One Body, 4/4/2008

EASTER CHALLENGE: Read the whole New Testament this Easter. Follow our
reading guide:

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/NTEaster.asp
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Friday, April 4, 2008, St. Isidore of Seville

Acts 5:34-42, Psalm 27, John 6:1-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/040408.shtml

FOR BETTER AND FOR WORSE

"Day after day, both in the temple and at home, they never stopped
teaching and proclaiming the good news of Jesus the Messiah." —Acts 5:42

When Peter and John proclaimed Jesus' resurrection after healing the man
born lame, the Sadducees' reaction was anger (Acts 4:2). As the apostles
proclaimed the risen Christ through signs and wonders, the high priest and
the Sadducees reacted with jealousy (Acts 5:17). They expressed this by
having the apostles whipped (Acts 5:40). When Stephen proclaimed the risen
Christ, the onlookers responded with violence. They ground their teeth,
put their hands over their ears, attacked Stephen, and beat him with
stones until they murdered him (Acts 7:54-58).

The more Jesus' disciples proclaimed His resurrection, the more their
persecution intensified. The more intense the persecution, the more the
disciples continued to proclaim the resurrection. They considered it a
privilege to be judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of Jesus' name
(Acts 5:41). "Both in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching
and proclaiming the good news of Jesus" (Acts 5:42).

Are you witnessing for the risen Jesus? Are some people responding with
faith and love? Are others filled with anger, jealousy, or violence toward
you? How are you taking this? Are you rejoicing in suffering rejection and
hostility for love of Jesus? Are you intensifying your proclamation of the
risen Christ?

Prayer: Father, may I react to rejection by forgiving and by witnessing
for Your Son with increased zeal.

Promise: "A vast crowd kept following Him because they saw the signs He
was performing for the sick." —Jn 6:2

Praise: St. Isidore taught, "When God's grace touches our inmost minds to
bring understanding, His word which has been received by the ears sinks
into the heart."

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "Accepting Jesus as Lord,
Savior, and God", or on audio AV 43-1 or video V-43.)

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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 April
1, 2008 through May 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 23, 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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