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Saturday, October 4, 2008, St. Francis of Assisi
Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17, Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130, Luke 10:17-24
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/100408.shtml
MY WORD!
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your
statutes." —Psalm 119:71
Psalm 119 expresses the normal, though not typical, attitude of a
Christian toward the word of God. This attitude is so zealous (Ps 119:139)
that it takes 176 verses to extol every aspect of God's word. How does a
Christian come to love God's word so deeply, according to the Psalm 119
standard?
Many with this zealous devotion to the Scriptures did not start this way.
We can testify: "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to
Your promise" (Ps 119:67). God has brought us low to make us open to His
word. Although we are "very much afflicted" (Ps 119:107), unjustly
oppressed (Ps 119:78), and in "distress and anguish" (Ps 119:143), these
sufferings pale in comparison to the delight we now take in God's word (Ps
119:35). In fact, despite our present sufferings, what really bothers us
is that others disdain God's word. We lament: "My eyes shed streams of
tears because Your law has not been kept" (Ps 119:136).
Psalm 119 was written at a time when the Scriptures did not include the
New Testament and before several of the Old Testament books had been
compiled. Even without knowing the joy and consolation that Jesus gives,
would this half-Bible be enough to fill your heart with exuberant praises?
Would God's word itself be your delight? If not, humble yourself before
the Lord. God declares: "This is the one whom I approve: the lowly and
afflicted man who trembles at My word" (Is 66:2). How much more should our
hearts burn within us today as we read God's word in its full New
Testament, gospel splendor! (Lk 24:32)
Prayer: Father, "in Your statutes I will delight; I will not forget Your
words" (Ps 119:16).
Promise: "Your names are inscribed in heaven." —Lk 10:20
Praise: St. Francis so loved the word of God he voluntarily accepted
gospel poverty, doing penance for those who would or could not.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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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
October 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, May 1, 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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