LOVING TO SPEND EVERYTHING - One Bread, One Body, 7/11/2008

Is the Lord calling you to become a member of Presentation Ministries?
Consider joining us as a co-worker. Find out more at:

http://www.presentationministries.com/general/coworker.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, July 11, 2008, St. Benedict

Hosea 14:2-10, Psalm 51, Matthew 10:16-23
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/071108.shtml

LOVING TO SPEND EVERYTHING

"What I am doing is sending you out." —Matthew 10:16

To be a disciple of Jesus means to be like a sheep which is as smart as a
snake and innocent as a dove (Mt 10:16). This is impossible because sheep
aren't smart. Therefore, to be Jesus' disciple is naturally impossible. It
can only be done by God's grace. To be Jesus' disciple sometimes means to
be persecuted and rejected by church, government, and family (see Mt
10:17-22). To be His disciple means to suffer and die because of our love
for Jesus, our Master.

When we pay the extreme cost of discipleship, we can react in one of two
ways. We can feel the Lord is expecting the impossible and begrudge Him
the total gift of ourselves. We "say, 'What a burden!' " (Mal 1:13)
Conversely, we can react with joy and excitement. We can consider it a
privilege to pay the cost for something so expensive. People in the
secular world usually rejoice when they buy something very expensive. They
even rejoice in giving up everything to become a professional athlete, a
success in business, or a celebrity. Why shouldn't we Christians rejoice
much more in giving up everything to pay the cost of discipleship? We
should be like Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, and St. Benedict, and
gladly leave behind money, job, career, possessions, and relationships to
be disciples of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, may I consider one day in Your courts better than a
thousand elsewhere (see Ps 84:11).

Promise: "You have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words, and
return to the Lord." —Hos 14:2-3

Praise: St. Benedict was blessed to die still facing the altar having just
received his Lord in the Eucharist.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "Making Disciples in a Culture
of Death" or our tape on audio AV 97-1, AV 97-3 or video V-97.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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