WISDOM TEETH - One Bread, One Body, 5/19/2008

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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Monday, May 19, 2008

James 3:13-18, Psalm 19, Mark 9:14-29
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/051908.shtml

WISDOM TEETH

"Wisdom like this does not come from above. It is earthbound." —James 3:15

Many people pay tens of thousands of dollars to graduate from college.
Others pay thousands of dollars to receive counseling from a psychiatrist.
Millions of people listen to or watch talk-show personalities. All of
these people are looking for wisdom.

However, there are two kinds of wisdom. There is heavenly wisdom and
"earthbound" wisdom (Jas 3:15). Earthbound wisdom is "a kind of animal,
even devilish, cunning. Where there are jealousy and strife, there also
are inconstancy and all kinds of vile behavior. Wisdom from above, by
contrast, is first of all innocent. It is also peaceable, lenient, docile,
rich in sympathy and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and
sincere" (Jas 3:15-17). Heavenly wisdom is shown "in practice through a
humility filled with good sense" (Jas 3:13), while earthbound wisdom
foments "bitter jealousy and selfish ambition" (Jas 3:14), and "arrogant
and false claims against the truth" (Jas 3:14).

By these Biblical standards, almost all talk-shows must be rejected. The
book of James seems to indicate that "higher education" is "lower,"
earthbound, and not wise at all. The teaching in James declares much
counseling to be suspect.

Seek heavenly wisdom. Reject earthbound wisdom. Be happy. Be free. Live
for Jesus. He is our Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30).

Prayer: Father, may I realize that the absurdity of the preaching of the
cross is power and wisdom (1 Cor 1:24).

Promise: "His disciples began to ask Him privately, 'Why is it that we
could not expel it?' He told them, 'This kind you can drive out only by
prayer.' " —Mk 9:28-29

Praise: By studying Scripture prayerfully Thomas wields the word of God
more effectively.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Wisdom Literature" on audio AV
10B-3 or video V-10B.)

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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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