BODY-LANGUAGE - One Bread, One Body, 8/31/2008

The August issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles include:

Millions Face Hunger Daily
Pope Opens Pauline Year
Jesus Is The Answer In A Confusing World
Pope Urges United Effort For Development
Food Crisis Has Many Costs
In Defense of Life: Celebration For Life

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Sunday, August 31, 2008, 22nd Sunday Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 20:7-9, Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 63, Matthew 16:21-27
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/083108.shtml

BODY-LANGUAGE

"I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice holy and acceptable to God." —Romans 12:1

We must offer our bodies as sacrifices to God. We are also called to offer
our "bodies to God as weapons for justice" (Rm 6:13). We must know that
our bodies are temples "of the Holy Spirit, Who is within" (1 Cor 6:19).
Our bodies are sacrifices, weapons, and temples. Because our bodies are
sacrifices, we must deny ourselves and let God consume us (see Heb 12:29).
We must give God our best so as not to offer defective sacrifices (see Mal
1:7-8).

Because our bodies are weapons, we must not be "bloated with indulgence
and drunkenness and worldly cares" (Lk 21:34). We should fight by wielding
the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph 6:17), and the spiritual weapons of prayer
and fasting (Mt 17:21, NAB). We must be in shape to "fight the good fight"
of evangelization (1 Tm 1:18).

Because our bodies are temples, they should be holy, clean, peaceful, and
joyous. We need to repent of our sins, go to Confession, and enthrone
Jesus as Lord of our lives and our bodies. Although our bodies are weak
and fragile, they are precious in God's eyes. If we use them to glorify
Him, He will glorify our bodies and raise them from the dead (see Phil
3:21). "So glorify God in your body" (1 Cor 6:20).

Prayer: Father, I am custom-made to please You. I offer my body to You.

Promise: "What profit would a man show if he were to gain the whole world
and destroy himself in the process?" —Mt 16:26

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who offered Himself entirely so that we
may in turn learn to do the same. Alleluia!

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "Be Holy, For I Am Holy".)

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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
August 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, February 25, 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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