FAITHFUL TILL DEATH? - One Bread, One Body, 6/21/2008

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

Pope Emphasizes Conversion And Witness
Grandparents Are A Treasure
In Defense of Life: A Church Divided
Modesty — God's Gift

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Saturday, June 21, 2008, St. Aloysius Gonzaga

2 Chronicles 24:17-25, Psalm 89:4-5, 29-34, Matthew 6:24-34
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062108.shtml

FAITHFUL TILL DEATH?

"After the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came and paid homage to
the king, and the king then listened to them. They forsook the temple of
the Lord." —2 Chronicles 24:17-18

After the death of Jehoiada the priest, the Israelites forsook the temple
of the Lord and served false gods. After a change of pastors, some
parishioners don't go to church as much anymore. After young people leave
home, many leave the practice of their faith. After Christians are
rejected by fellow parishioners, some drop out of ministry or become less
active in their churches.

Our faith in Jesus, worship of the Lord, and service to His people change
because circumstances change. Our faith should move mountains, rather
than mountains or even foothills moving our faith (see Mt 17:20).
However, this firmness in our faith can only happen by God's grace and our
willingness to accept His grace. If we realize we are weak and changeable,
we will "be solicitous" to make our "call and election permanent" (2 Pt
1:10). We will discipline our bodies and master them (1 Cor 9:27). We will
cry out in prayer for God's grace, live in His word (Jn 8:31), surround
ourselves with His people (Heb 12:1), and obey the Pope and the leaders of
the Church. When we realize we need all the help we can get to persevere
in the faith, we will seek and find all the help we need. Be solicitous to
be faithful.

Prayer: Father, if I'm living during the time of the mass apostasy (see 2
Thes 2:3), may I not be unfaithful, no matter how many turn away from You.

Promise: "Let tomorrow take care of itself." —Mt 6:34

Praise: St. Aloysius died at age twenty-four as a result of selflessly
attending to the victims of an epidemic.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Am I Going to Heaven?" on audio
AV 54-3 or video V-54.)

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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 June
1, 2008 through July 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, January 4, 2008

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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