the air back on May 3. Why not give it a listen if you haven't before.
You can listen online, download in MP3 format or subscribe to the podcast.
http://www.presentationministries.com/dbread/dbread.asp
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Saturday, July 19, 2008
Micah 2:1-5, Psalm 10, Matthew 12:14-21
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/071908.shtml
IS GOD HIDING?
"When the Pharisees were outside they began to plot against [Jesus] to
find a way to destroy Him. Jesus was aware of this, and so He withdrew
from that place." —Matthew 12:14-15
The popular poem, "Footsteps," expresses the anguish of the psalmist:
"Why, O Lord, do You stand aloof? Why hide in times of distress?" (Ps
10:1) We look to God for help, and He seems to withdraw from us (see Mt
12:15). We are oppressed and in dire straits, and cry out to God for aid.
Yet instead of strong action, God seems to do nothing and things get worse
for us (see Ps 10:8-11). Why does it sometimes seem that God is
withdrawing from us (see Mt 12:15) in our time of great need? Even Jesus
Himself felt as if God had abandoned Him in His ultimate agony on the
cross (Mk 15:34).
As the above poem mentions, Jesus is carrying us in these situations even
though all we can perceive is that He has abandoned us. We feel like
saying: "The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me" (Is 49:14).
However, God's response to us is: "Can a mother forget her infant, be
without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I
will never forget you" (Is 49:15).
When Job in his misery questioned God's care for him, God did not answer
Job. Instead, He granted Job something better: a vision of His glory (Jb
38:1). Job was then content in His suffering because He knew God was with
him. Only after that did God restore Job (Jb 42:10).
No, God is not hiding. He is Emmanuel, God with us (Mt 1:23). Pray: Lord,
"I do believe! Help my lack of trust!" (Mk 9:24)
Prayer: Father, help me to be patient and hopeful in time of suffering. I
will "hope in silence for [Your] saving help" (Lam 3:26).
Promise: "I will endow Him with My Spirit and He will proclaim justice to
the Gentiles." —Mt 12:18
Praise: Only after years of praying could Joan see that her prayers had
been answered throughout the years.
(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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