"Grandparents" at:
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Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth is designed as a bulletin insert
which you can use at your local church to keep up to date on what the Holy
Father is saying. You are free to reproduce it for this purpose.
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Sunday, June 8, 2008, 10th Sunday Ordinary Time
Hosea 6:3-6, Romans 4:18-25, Psalm 50, Matthew 9:9-13
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/060808.shtml
GOD DESIRES MERCY
"It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice." —Matthew 9:13
"God is rich in mercy" (Eph 2:4). He delights "in showing mercy" (Mi 7:18,
JB). "His mercy endures forever" (Ps 136:1). God desires mercy (Mt 9:13).
Fr. Lauer, founder and long-time author of One Bread, One Body, defined
mercy as treating someone better than they deserve. To treat someone as
they deserve is to give them their due. This is a fair and just price to
pay, and even "sinners do as much" (Lk 6:33).
At a higher level than paying someone their due is to sacrifice for
someone. This involves paying a higher cost to serve someone, going above
and beyond the minimum. Sacrifices come at a personal cost. They require
time, energy, love, and forethought. "God is pleased by sacrifices of that
kind" (Heb 13:16).
However, ultimately it is not sacrifice that God desires; His heart is set
upon mercy (Mt 9:13). Jesus' disciples are set apart by treating others
better than they deserve, including enemies, persecutors, criminals,
sinners, etc. Jesus' disciples are impelled by love (see 2 Cor 5:14) to
imitate their Master by laying down their lives for people who don't even
care about them (see Rm 5:8), regardless of whether or not that mercy is
even appreciated. "This will prove that you are" children of God (Mt
5:45), rich in mercy (Eph 2:4). This is what God desires.
Prayer: Jesus, Mercy of God, I trust in You. Give me a heart that always
seeks to act in mercy.
Promise: Abraham "never questioned or doubted God's promise; rather, he
was strengthened in faith and gave glory to God, fully persuaded that God
could do whatever He had promised." —Rm 4:20-21
Praise: Praise Jesus, the perfect Reflection of the Father (Heb 1:3), Who
is "rich in mercy."
(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 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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