REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING - One Bread, One Body, 8/25/2008

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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Monday, August 25, 2008, St. Louis, St. Joseph Calasanz

2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12, Psalm 96, Matthew 23:13-22
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/082508.shtml

REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING

"We can boast of your constancy and your faith in persecution and
trial." —2 Thessalonians 1:4

Our persecutions and trials are not completely the fault of our
persecutors. Some may very well be "an expression of God's just judgment"
on us for the sins we have not repented of (2 Thes 1:5). Therefore, our
persecutions and trials should lead us quickly to repentance.

After we have repented, we can suffer persecution. In this way, we build
up God's kingdom in an exceptionally powerful way (2 Thes 1:5). No
praying, preaching, healing, teaching, or serving can have the impact that
repentance and redemptive suffering have in furthering God's kingdom. We
were saved not by Jesus' ministry but by His suffering.

Therefore, it is a "special privilege to take Christ's part — not only to
believe in Him but also to suffer for Him" (Phil 1:29). "Rejoice instead,
in the measure that you share Christ's sufferings" (1 Pt 4:13). "See to it
that none of you suffers for being a murderer, a thief, a malefactor, or a
destroyer of another's rights. If anyone suffers for being a Christian,
however, he ought not to be ashamed. He should rather glorify God in
virtue of that name" (1 Pt 4:15-16).

Prayer: "We pray for you always that our God may make you worthy of His
call, and fulfill by His power every honest intention and work of faith"
(2 Thes 1:11).

Promise: "For great is the Lord and highly to be praised; awesome is
He." —Ps 96:4

Praise: St. Louis, king of France, especially delighted in serving the
blind. He wished to keep his deeds of mercy secret (Mt 6:4), and the blind
were unable to recognize that he was a king.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Redemptive Suffering" on audio AV
75-1 or video V-75.)

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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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