and Answers on Building Small Christian Communities is now online. It is
a great resource for Small Chrisitan Communities.
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/UnlessTheLordBuild.asp
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008, Pope St. Pontian, St. Hippolytus
Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22, Psalm 113, Matthew 18:15-20
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/081308.shtml
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD
"Mark an X on the foreheads of those who moan and groan over all the
abominations that are practiced within [Jerusalem]." —Ezekiel 9:4
When Jerusalem was destroyed, those who moaned and groaned "over all the
abominations" practiced within it were spared. At the world's end, those
who care enough to groan and cry over the mass apostasy (see 2 Thes 2:3)
will be spared. When Paul saw Christians distorting the truth and leading
others astray, he cried (Acts 20:30-31). Paul had a "daily tension"
pressing on him due to his anxiety for all the churches (2 Cor 11:28). He
cried when he saw Christians set on the things of the world (Phil
3:18-19). Paul had a "great grief and constant pain" in his heart because
most of his kinsmen, the Israelites, did not accept Jesus (Rm 9:2). Paul
"could even wish to be separated from Christ" for the sake of the
conversion of the Jewish people (Rm 9:3). When Jesus saw Jerusalem in its
spiritual blindness, He broke into tears (Lk 19:41).
Do you care about the condition of God's people enough to cry? The Lord
will have pity on us when we care enough to groan and cry. When love is
stronger than apathy, the Lord "will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it
is time to pity her, for the appointed time has come. For her stones are
dear to [us] and her dust moves [us] to pity" (Ps 102:14-15).
Prayer: Father, "oh, that my head were a spring of water, my eyes a
fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night over the slain of the
daughter of my people!" (Jer 8:23, NAB)
Promise: "Where two or three are gathered in My name; there am I in their
midst." —Mt 18:20
Praise: Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus were both slain for their love
of Jesus.
(For a related teaching, order our tape "The Remnant" on audio AV 79-3 or
video V-79.)
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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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