MERCY ON THE MERCILESS - One Bread, One Body, 6/17/2008

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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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

1 Kings 21:17-29, Psalm 51, Matthew 5:43-48
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/061708.shtml

MERCY ON THE MERCILESS

"Indeed, no one gave himself up to the doing of evil in the sight of the
Lord as did Ahab, urged on by his wife Jezebel." —1 Kings 21:25

Ahab held the world record for sin, and he and his wife, Jezebel, held the
world record in doubles for sin. "He became completely abominable" (1 Kgs
21:26). However, when Ahab heard Elijah's prophetic words, "he fasted,
slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued. Then the Lord said to
Elijah the Tishbite, 'Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before
me?' " (1 Kgs 21:27-29) The Lord didn't bring up Ahab's years of sin, but
Ahab's moment of repentance. We see this same pattern with the good thief
who was crucified next to Jesus. Jesus didn't focus on the man's crimes.
He focused on the moment the man repented of blaspheming Him (see Mt
27:44) and prayed: "Jesus, remember me when You enter upon Your reign" (Lk
23:42).

Most of us do the opposite of what the Lord does. We ignore hundreds of
acts of faith and love while bringing up the few evil things a person has
done. If we were God, we wouldn't rain on the just and the unjust (see Mt
5:45) and let the Ahabs and Jezebels of the world literally get away with
murder, at least for a while. We don't see the point of loving our enemies
(Mt 5:44). However, if the Lord didn't love His enemies, all of us would
be condemned because of our sins.

We have all received the Lord's mercy, bought at the price of His blood.
Now the Lord asks us the question: "Should you not have dealt mercifully
with your fellow servant, as I dealt with you?" (Mt 18:33)

Prayer: Father, may several of the worst sinners in the world repent this
summer.

Promise: "In a word, you must be made perfect as Your heavenly Father is
perfect." —Mt 5:48

Praise: For decades, Sister Nancy has risen before dawn each day to praise
God and intercede for a long list of needs. Her prayers have borne great
fruit in the lives of many.

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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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