PUBLIC CONFESSION - One Bread, One Body, 5/24/2008

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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Saturday, May 24, 2008

James 5:13-20, Psalm 141, Mark 10:13-16
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/052408.shtml

PUBLIC CONFESSION

"Declare your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may
find healing." —James 5:16

The Lord clearly commands us to declare our sins to each other. He also
commands us not to even mention shameful things (Eph 5:3, 12) and not to
publicize others' sins (see Mt 18:15). However, when we confess certain
sins to others, we have difficulties avoiding giving scandal. For example,
if you would confess publicly the sin of adultery, the people hearing this
would naturally be tempted to speculate on the identity of the person with
whom you were sexually involved. They might be easily able to guess who
your sexual partner was or they might even implicate an innocent person.

How can we obey Jesus' command to publicly confess our sins without
disobeying other commands of Jesus? Paul spoke of forgiving as a
representative of the Church (2 Cor 2:10). By confessing our sins to a
representative of the Church and of the Lord (see Jn 20:23), we can
confess our sins publicly, avoid giving scandal, and receive the special
healing which usually accompanies public confession.

Go to the sacrament of Confession. Obey Jesus. Be forgiven and healed.

Prayer: Father, may I treasure Confession so much that I celebrate this
sacrament monthly or more frequently.

Promise: "People were bringing their little children to Him to have Him
touch them." —Mk 10:13

Praise: James has witnessed publicly of his vasectomy and how the Lord
showed him its sinfulness, restored him through reversal surgery, and
blessed him with more children.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "The Secret of Confession", or
our tape on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)

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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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