UNDEFEATED - One Bread, One Body, 12/8/2008

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Monday, December 8, 2008, Immaculate Conception

Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12, Psalm 98, Luke 1:26-38
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/120808.shtml

UNDEFEATED

"God chose us in Him before the world began, to be holy and blameless in
His sight." —Ephesians 1:4

Jesus has definitively and irreversibly defeated the devil by His death
and resurrection. All that's left is to put Jesus' enemies at His feet
(Heb 10:13). Jesus' victory over sin and over Satan is available to all of
Jesus' followers. We can resist all Satan's temptations and attack the
gates of hell (Mt 16:18, JB), for we have authority over all demons (Mt
10:1). All this is true, but we have trouble believing that we can have
Jesus' victory in our lives, because we repeatedly fall into sin and are
defeated.

In our weakness and sin, Mary is a sign of hope. She defeated the devil
every time and proved that God gives us a way out of every temptation (1
Cor 10:13) and that His grace is always sufficient for us (2 Cor 12:9).
Because the Lord knew that Mary would always let Him give her victory over
all temptations, He gave her the gift of not inheriting the stain of
original sin. Mary is a sign that we don't ever have to sin again, that we
can expect to be freed from long-time sins, and that Jesus' victory is for
us now.

Prayer: Father, may I no longer let sin rule my body, but may I offer it
to You as a weapon for justice (Rm 6:12-13).

Promise: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your
offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at His
heel." —Gn 3:15

Praise: "God Who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is His name"
(Lk 1:49).

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Jesus, the Redeemer" on audio AV
50-3 or video V-50.)

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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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