include:
United Effort Required to Meet Food Crisis
Pius XII: A Mon Of Peace And Courage
In Defense of Life: Unleashing Love
Catholics, Muslims Dialogue
Light to the Nations: A Christian Perspective on World News
New Church Groups Are a Precious Resource
http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Tuesday, December 23, 2008, St. John of Kanty
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24, Psalm 25, Luke 1:57-66
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/122308.shtml
CHRISTMAS PRESENCE
"All who heard stored these things up in their hearts, saying, 'What will
this child be?' " —Luke 1:66
I hope you're more excited than you've ever been for Christmas — more
excited than when you were a little child waiting to open your Christmas
presents. The excitement I'm talking about is not primarily an emotion but
an expression of faith. It's not based on Christmas presents but on
Christmas presence. The Lord is present. We can see Him setting the
captives free, healing the sick, and working miracles. We sense His
presence within us, as He purifies our hearts and turns them to Himself.
We see the Lord present in the Church, His word, and the sacraments.
Although our sins blind us to His presence, we experience His presence
sometimes and know by faith that He is with us always even "until the end
of the world" (Mt 28:20). Today, although we may feel as if we have a
hundred things to do, we should stop everything for a while. We must be
Mary rather than Martha (see Lk 10:38ff). If we let Him quiet our hearts,
we will understand the words of the hymn "Silent Night." When all is calm,
all will be bright with a deep awareness of God's presence. As we sit
quietly at Jesus' feet (Lk 10:39), the business and busy-ness of Christmas
which have left us jaded will give way to an awareness and awe of Christ's
presence. We will be as a little child (see Mt 18:3). We will enter the
kingdom of God and be excited about Christmas.
Prayer: Father, give me an awe of You which is the beginning of Christmas
(see Ps 111:10).
Promise: "He will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like
silver." —Mal 3:3
Praise: "O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver, Desire of the nations, Savior of
all people, come and set us free, Lord our God."
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "Hearing God," or our audio
tape AV 45-1 or video tape V-45.)
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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
December 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, June 17, 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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