"Mission and Evangelization" at:
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Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth is designed as a bulletin insert
which you can use at your local church to keep up to date on what the Holy
Father is saying. You are free to reproduce it for this purpose.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008, St. Robert Bellarmine
1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13, Psalm 33, Luke 7:31-35
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/091708.shtml
CHILD'S PLAY
"They are like children." —Luke 7:32
In the New Testament, children represent three different spiritual states.
The most popular Biblical picture of children is one that stresses their
utter dependence on their parents. If we become lowly like children and
acknowledge our total dependence on the Lord, we will enter God's kingdom
(Mt 18:3).
The Bible also sees children as a symbol of spiritual immaturity.
"Everyone whose food is milk alone is ignorant of the word that
sanctifies, for he is a child" (Heb 5:13). Paul said: "When I was a child
I used to talk like a child, think like a child, reason like a child. When
I became a man I put childish ways aside" (1 Cor 13:11). Because of their
immaturity, children are easily deceived, so Paul told the Ephesians: "Be
children no longer, tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of
doctrine that originates in human trickery and skill in proposing error"
(Eph 4:14).
Finally, the Bible uses children to represent sins of selfishness and
rebellion. Jesus compared the people of His day to self-centered, spoiled,
and stubborn children (Lk 7:32-34). Jesus wants us to become childlike in
one sense of the word, but not childish. He wants us to have the spiritual
maturity and unselfishness to be aware of our total dependence on Him.
Let's become children in the right way and repent of being childish in
other ways (see 1 Cor 14:20).
Prayer: Father, may we "be like children as far as evil is concerned, but
in mind be mature" (1 Cor 14:20).
Promise: "Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the
truth." —1 Cor 13:6
Praise: St. Robert, the spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, used his
giftedness to defend and teach the Catholic faith.
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "Who Am I In Christ?" or on
audio AV 7A-1 or video V-7A.)
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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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