HONEY, I SHRUNK THE CHURCH - One Bread, One Body, 5/6/2008

Pray the Pentecost Novena with us. Come Holy Spirit!

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008, Pentecost Novena - Day 5

Acts 20:17-27, Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21, John 17:1-11
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/050608.shtml

HONEY, I SHRUNK THE CHURCH

"I have never shrunk from announcing to you God's design in its
entirety." —Acts 20:27

Satan must be enjoying the shrinking in the Church: the shrinking ranks of
priests, religious sisters, and brothers, shrinking faith, shrinking
attendance at Mass, shrinking collections, shrinking lines for Confession,
shrinking numbers of catechumens, shrinking family sizes, and so on.
Numerous seminaries, convents, inner-city parishes, and parochial schools
have shrunk so much that they've been closed. Some days it seems that the
only thing pertaining to the Church that's not shrinking is the number of
people lining up to criticize her.

Historically, when the Church has been shrinking, the Lord has raised up
shrink-resistant men and women who never shrink from speaking the total
truth of God's plan (Acts 20:27). They insist "solemnly on repentance
before God" (Acts 20:21). They never shrink from telling people what is
for their good, or from teaching them in every way God's truth (Acts
20:20).

The Holy Spirit lavishes us with grace to expand. Yet we must put aside
our old, fearful nature which shrinks from the fear of man. Jesus taught
that no one sews a new "unshrunken" cloth onto an old cloth (Mt 9:16),
else it would tear loose. We can't mix our old "shrinking-violet" ways
with the Holy Spirit. Nothing good comes from shrinking away. As Job
proclaims: "What I fear overtakes me, and what I shrink from comes upon
me" (Jb 3:25).

Repent of fear. Be shrink-resistant in the Spirit (Acts 2:4). Help the
Church expand again. "The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit,
but rather One That makes us strong" (2 Tm 1:7).

Prayer: Father, I'm not ashamed of the gospel (Rm 1:16). I'm "proud to
profess it in Christ Jesus" (Easter Baptismal Promises).

Promise: "Eternal life is this: to know You, the only true God, and Him
Whom You have sent, Jesus Christ." —Jn 17:3

Praise: Once Sarah didn't dare speak out against wrongs she saw. Now in
the Spirit she fights boldly for the Truth.

(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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