CUT IT OUT! - One Bread, One Body, 5/22/2008

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

Remembering Pope John Paul II: Sign And Witness Of Risen Christ
Educational Crisis Challenges All
In Defense of Life: Marriage: Under Attack
Media At The Crossroads Between Self-Promotion And Service
Christians Face Education Crisis With Faith And Hope

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Thursday, May 22, 2008, St. Rita of Cascia

James 5:1-6, Psalm 49, Mark 9:41-50
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/052208.shtml

CUT IT OUT!

"If your hand is your difficulty, cut it off!" —Mark 9:43
"If your foot is your undoing, cut it off!" —Mark 9:45
"If your eye is your downfall, tear it out!" —Mark 9:47

Jesus did not mean for us to literally maim ourselves, but He exaggerated
to drive home the point that we are to resist sin even to the point of
allowing our own blood to be shed (Heb 12:4). Moreover, Jesus may have
been revealing to us something about human nature: in some areas of each
person's life, one must be careful not to overindulge but to abstain. This
is the great insight of the Twelve Steps Programs.

For some, one drink is too many. Maybe you don't have a problem with
drinking, but you can be in trouble if you have a TV, begin to gamble, eat
one candy bar, drink one cup of coffee, go into a store with a credit
card, access the Internet, etc. We will never be free if we don't come out
of the denial that certain things in our lives must be completely cut off.
The Lord could grace us to control our use of these things, but it seems
that instead He has decided to call us to abstain in certain areas.

Know your calls to abstain, cut out what God wants out, and be free. It's
better to abstain than to remain a slave. It's better to abstain than to
lose your soul (Mt 5:29).

Prayer: Jesus, You alone can free me (Jn 8:36). I accept You as Lord and
Liberator.

Promise: "The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of
hosts." —Jas 5:4

Praise: St. Rita, in deference to her parents, did not become a nun but
married a man who caused her nothing but grief and sorrow. St. Rita became
a widow at age thirty, and eventually God enabled her to achieve her goal
of becoming a religious sister.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "TV Addiction"," "or our tape
on audio AV 65-1 or video V-65.)

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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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