THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD - One Bread, One Body, 1/29/2009

The January issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles include:

Financial Crisis Has Moral Dimension
Migrants Challenge Christians To Love
In Defense of Life: Teaching Confusion
Mary Continues To Call For Conversions
Pius XII Left Rich Legacy

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Hebrews 10:19-25, Psalm 24, Mark 4:21-25
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/012909.shtml

THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

"We should not absent ourselves from the assembly, as some do." —Hebrews
10:25

When we assemble with other Christians, we:
* "encourage one another" (Heb 10:25),
* "rouse each other to love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24),
* experience Jesus' presence in a special way (see Mt 18:20),
* pray with greater power and fruitfulness (see Mt 18:19),
* experience more fully the gifts of the Spirit (see 1 Cor 12:7),
* prepare for Jesus' final coming (see Heb 10:25), and
* strengthen one another (Eccl 4:12).

Because the Lord works so gloriously when Christians assemble, He commands
us in His word not to absent ourselves from the assembly (Heb 10:25). The
Catholic Church echoes this command by holding us responsible under pain
of sin to fulfill our Sunday and Holy Day obligations to celebrate Mass on
these days (see Catechism, 2181). Because it's so important for Christians
to assemble, we should ask the Lord how often we should celebrate Mass in
addition to Sundays and Holy Days, participate in other communal prayer
services, and pray together at home as a family. The Lord is likely
calling many of us to join with others in small Christian communities. To
be spiritually healthy, Christians need to assemble several times a week
at church and home.

Prayer: Father, may I come together frequently with other Christians,
especially when I don't feel like it.

Promise: "Listen carefully to what you hear. In the measure you give you
shall receive, and more besides." —Mk 4:24

Praise: Jane credits her home-based community with helping her to stay
faithful and focused on God.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "What is Christian Community? "on
audio AV 76-1 or video V-76.)

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

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 © 2006 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