the air back on May 3. Why not give it a listen if you haven't before.
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Thursday, July 24, 2008, St. Sharbel Makhluf
Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13, Psalm 36, Matthew 13:10-17
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/072408.shtml
SOW AND TELL
"Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them which says: 'Listen as you will,
you shall not understand, look intently as you will, you shall not see.
Sluggish indeed is this people's heart. They have scarcely heard with
their ears, they have firmly closed their eyes; otherwise they might see
with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their
hearts, and turn back to Me, and I should heal them.' " —Matthew 13:14-15
The above passage is a Scripture quote from Isaiah 6:9-10. Isaiah had seen
a vision of God, was purified, and accepted God's call to be His prophet
(Is 6:1-8). Upon saying his 'Yes' to God, the Lord spoke the above words
to Isaiah. In essence, God told Isaiah that by faithfully prophesying an
understandable message, it would be as if Isaiah was causing obstinacy
rather than repentance. Isaiah 6:9-10 is quoted no less than five times in
the New Testament (Mt 13:14-15; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10; Jn 12:40; Acts
28:26-27), making it one of the most quoted Old Testament passages.
Jesus is reminding us that we must be faithful to God's calling to spread
His word, regardless of the results. We must go out and sow, no matter
what (Mt 13:4). If people don't receive God's word, why should we be
surprised? The New Testament has prepared us five times for this
rejection. Our response is to be that of Jesus: we must, like a good
teacher, attempt to find a way to reach our hearers on their level, using
parables (Mt 13:10), stories, discourses, explanations, etc. In so doing,
some will repent, turn back to Jesus, and be healed (Mt 13:15).
Prayer: Jesus, make me an ever more faithful and effective Scripture
teacher.
Promise: "For with You is the fountain of life, and in Your light we see
light." —Ps 36:10
Praise: St. Sharbel Makhluf was a Lebanese hermit who became an exemplary
Christian to the world. Devoted to Jesus' life of gospel poverty, he never
touched money and ate only one meal of vegetables daily.
(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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