"The Blessed Virgin Mary" 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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Sunday, December 14, 2008, Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Luke 1:46-50, 53-54, John
1:6-8, 19-28
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/121408.shtml
THE TRAGEDY OF TRAGEDIES
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed
me." —Isaiah 61:1
The Holy Spirit wants to bring good news to the poor, heal the
broken-hearted, and set captives free (Is 61:1). Only the Holy Spirit can
renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30). However, we stifle, quench (1
Thes 5:19), sadden, and grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30). Then the poor stay
depressed and oppressed; the broken-hearted are shattered; the captives
are chained with even more chains; and the face of the earth becomes more
defaced.
One of the greatest tragedies in life is to stifle the Holy Spirit. This
is the tragedy which causes so many other tragedies to continue or grow
worse. Before the Lord commanded us not to stifle the Spirit, He ordered
us to always rejoice, pray, and thank (1 Thes 5:16-18). If we accept God's
grace to always do these three things, we will not stifle the Spirit.
So, when you're about to stifle the Spirit by using your tongue for gossip
rather than for evangelization; rejoice, pray, and thank. The Spirit will
be stirred into flame in your life (2 Tm 1:6-7) and not stifled. When
you're senselessly staring at the TV, turn it off and persevere in joy,
prayer, and thanks. You will have turned off the TV before it turned off
the Spirit in your life.
Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4). Pray always (Lk 18:1; Rm 12:12).
Dedicate yourself to thankfulness (Col 3:15). Live in the Spirit.
Prayer: "Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up Thy
rest."
Promise: "There is One among you Whom you do not recognize — the One Who
is to come after me." —Jn 1:26-27
Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25).
Your death has brought us life. Alleluia!
(For a related teaching, order our tape on "Don't Stifle the Spirit "on
audio AV 56-3 or video V-56.)
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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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