DEATH-DEFYING - One Bread, One Body, 8/2/2008

Check out our brochure entitled "How to Renew Your Parish"

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/HowToRenewParish.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, August 2, 2008, St. Eusebius of Vercelli, St. Peter Julian
Eymard

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24, Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34, Matthew 14:1-12
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/080208.shtml

DEATH-DEFYING

"Do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to
death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its
citizens." —Jeremiah 26:14-15

The prophet Jeremiah prophesied his way out of martyrdom, at least for a
while (Jer 26:24). The prophet John the Baptizer did the same thing, but
was finally beheaded (Mt 14:5, 10). The Prophet Jesus used His prophetic
power to escape several attempts on His life (i.e. Lk 4:30; Jn 8:59), but
was eventually crucified.

We can be encouraged by this pattern because it shows that there's no
stopping someone moving in the power of the Spirit. We will repeatedly
escape from attempts to stop our work for the Lord. Even our deaths will
not stop us. For example, John the Baptizer's death paradoxically became
Herod's defeat and John's victory. Jesus' death became Satan's ultimate
defeat and the Lord's victory of love, salvation, and resurrection.

In Jesus, we are unstoppable and invincible. By the power of the Spirit,
we will repeatedly escape death. When we finally do die, we'll pull off
the greatest escape of all by rising with Jesus from the dead. Therefore,
"we are more than conquerors because of Him Who has loved us" (Rm 8:37).

Prayer: Father, by faith in Jesus, may I laugh in the face of death.

Promise: "For in truth it was the Lord Who sent me to you, to speak all
these things for you to hear." —Jer 26:15

Praise: St. Eusebius was unstoppable as he stood up for truth and fought
against heresy of his day.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "Seek First The Kingdom".)

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

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.

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

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