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Wednesday, July 9, 2008, St. Augustine Zhao Rong, & the Chinese Martyrs
Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12, Psalm 105:2-7, Matthew 10:1-7
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/070908.shtml
SELF-"IMPROVEMENT"
"Their heart is false." —Hosea 10:2
The more the Israelites prospered, the more they slipped into idolatrous
worship, setting up altars and pillars dedicated to false gods (Hos 10:1).
Isn't that like us? We delude ourselves into thinking that once we strike
it rich, we'll give God His share of our attention. However, this is a
self-deception. We've inherited a fallen nature, warped by original sin.
Our flesh is never satisfied; it always wants more. The more we have, the
more we want for ourselves, and the less time we have for God. "If you
live according to the flesh, you will die" (Rm 8:13).
Our fleshly, fallen nature cannot be tamed. The flesh always rebels
against the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:17). Thus we can never accommodate the
flesh, for its tendency is at enmity with God and cannot please Him (Rm
8:7-8). If the flesh could be tamed and improved, wouldn't Jesus have
simply taught us how to do that? Jesus is the Way (Jn 14:6), and His way
is to crucify the flesh. Jesus "suffered in the flesh" (1 Pt 4:1), was
crucified, rose from the dead, and defeated the flesh forever.
Through Baptism, Jesus has crucified our fallen nature and shares His
divine nature with us (2 Pt 1:4). When we live our Baptism, we live in the
Spirit, Who fights against our flesh (Gal 5:17). Each day, take up your
cross (Lk 9:23) and live your Baptism. Crucify your "flesh with its
passions and desires" (Gal 5:24). With St. Paul, proclaim: "I have been
crucified with Christ" (Gal 2:19).
Prayer: Father, I will know and live nothing but Christ crucified (1 Cor
2:2, RNAB).
Promise: "The reign of God is at hand!" —Mt 10:7
Praise: Of St. Augustine Zhao Rong's companions in martyrdom, 86 were
Chinese, and 33 were missionary priests and nuns. They counted all else as
loss, even their lives, so that Jesus could be their Gain (Phil 3:8).
(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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