reading guide:
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/NTEaster.asp
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Saturday, April 5, 2008, St. Vincent Ferrer
Acts 6:1-7, Psalm 33, John 6:16-21
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/040508.shtml
WHEN SHEEP MAKE SHEPHERDS
"Look around among your own number, brothers, for seven men acknowledged
to be deeply spiritual." —Acts 6:3
"They presented these men to the apostles." —Acts 6:6
Did you notice that the leaders of the early Church placed the
responsibility for finding deacons on the "community of the disciples"?
(Acts 6:2) That's us! We are to be on the lookout for those who would make
good leaders in the Church.
This was new for the early Christians. Jewish priests and Levites were
born into their positions. The apostles were called and chosen by Jesus
Himself. The early Church, however, called the lay people to raise up
future leaders from "among [their] own number" (Acts 6:3).
Our priests and bishops today cannot possibly know each person who may
have a call to religious life and other forms of leadership in the Church.
They depend on each one of us to do our part in building up the Church. We
can do this by:
* asking God to reveal to us those "deeply spiritual and prudent" men
and women (Acts 6:3),
* pointing out to these people their gifts,
* encouraging (Heb 10:25) them and praying for them,
* discipling them to be more "spiritual" (Acts 6:3),
* presenting these people to Church leaders by offering to introduce
them to vocation directors, paying for them to go on retreats, etc. and
* making disciples (Mt 28:19) by having as many children as God calls
us to have and raising them in the faith.
The leaders of the Church are depending on you. "Look around" (Acts 6:3).
Prayer: Father, may I be for You a scout who is full of encouragement (Nm
13:2, 30ff).
Promise: Jesus "told them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' " —Jn 6:20
Praise: St. Vincent advised priests to ask God "to fill you with
charity...; with it you can accomplish what you desire."
(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 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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