August 2, 2008. The featured speaker this year is Dan Schneider. Much is
offered during this spirit-filled event so visit the link below for more
information. Online registration is now available.
http://www.presentationministries.com/bibleinst
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, July 6, 2008, 14th Sunday Ordinary Time
Zechariah 9:9-10, Romans 8:9, 11-13, Psalm 145, Matthew 11:25-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/070608.shtml
IMPOSSIBLE CHRISTIANITY
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will
refresh you." —Matthew 11:28
The Lord has made living the Christian life humanly impossible. We must be
made perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48). We must become
holy in every aspect of our conduct (1 Pt 1:15) or we will not see God
(Heb 12:14), that is, we will not see Jesus face to face in heaven (see 1
Cor 13:12). Furthermore, we must be compassionate as our Father is
compassionate (Lk 6:36) and pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3). If we fall
into sin on one point of God's law, we become guilty on all counts (Jas
2:10).
Because living the Christian life is humanly impossible, most people don't
even try. Some are honest enough to admit that they don't try. Others try
to water down Christianity to make it more humanly possible, and then
rationalize their lukewarmness (see Rv 3:16). Some even try to live
Christianity by their own power. They eventually get frustrated and burn
out. At this point, they are tempted to dismiss Christianity completely.
Instead, they should come to Jesus and learn from Him (Mt 11:28-29). Jesus
will teach us that Christianity is not a do-it-yourself religion, but one
in which we let it be done to us (see Lk 1:38). Then the burden of
Christianity, while still humanly impossible, is easy and light (Mt
11:30).
Prayer: Father, may I give up trying to do the impossible and let you do
it.
Promise: "You are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the
Spirit of God dwells in you." —Rm 8:9
Praise: Praise the risen Savior, Whose life and death have lifted our
hearts into the light of His love.
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "Thankful To Be Catholic" or
our tape on audio AV 49-3 or video V-49.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2008 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment