"THE PRIDE OF LIFE" (1 Jn 2:16, RSV-CE) - One Bread, One Body, 12/16/2008

We hope the LORD has blessed you through our website and e-mail lists.
Fr. Lauer believed in making our needs known and trusting the Lord would
meet them. Please read our donations appeal letter and pray about making
a donation to PM.

http://www.presentationministries.com/general/donationsAppeal.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13, Psalm 34, Matthew 21:28-32
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/121608.shtml

"THE PRIDE OF LIFE" (1 Jn 2:16, RSV-CE)

"For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall
no longer exalt yourself on My holy mountain." —Zephaniah 3:11

The Lord calls us to repent of pride, self-exaltation, and arrogance, and
become "a people humble and lowly" (Zep 3:12). Pride can disqualify us
from Christmas. Through humility, however, we can fit into the manger
scene at Bethlehem with the lowly handmaid Mary, the poor Joseph, and the
simple shepherds.

In our society, arrogance has almost reached new heights, if that were
possible. Some people are so prideful they deny the truth of God's word,
as if millions of people for thousands of years were too stupid to see
that the Bible was just a book. Others deny the significance of the
physical and traditional differences between men and women, as if the
world has been in the dark for centuries until they and their friends
arrived on the scene. "In laying claim to such knowledge, some men have
missed the goal of faith" (1 Tm 6:21).

Moreover it's not uncommon for Catholics to contradict the teaching of the
Church and the Pope. They're supposedly much more enlightened than past
and current Church leaders. "These men pour abuse on things of which they
are ignorant" (see 2 Pt 2:12). Some have even arbitrarily decided that the
old concept of objective truth is now "out." They have finally discovered,
and now proudly announce to the world, that truth is relative.

The arrogance of our times approaches insanity. We must repent of
arrogance. This is necessary for life and for Christmas.

Prayer: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like Yours (see
Mt 11:29).

Promise: "I will change and purify the lips of the peoples." —Zep 3:9

Praise: Being arrogant thinking that the Church was old-fashioned on many
social issues, Linda met Jesus, the living God, and was humbled into
submission.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2004 Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r