1 John 3:22—4:6, Psalm 2, Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/010509.shtml
A LIVING HOPE (see 1 Pt 1:3)
"On those who inhabit a land overshadowed by death, light has
arisen." —Matthew 4:16
The Christmas season is a time when a greater number of people commit
suicide. Many others are more discouraged than normal because of family
breakdowns that intensify at Christmas. At the very time the Hope of the
World has come to us at Christmas, greater numbers of people are "without
hope...in the world" (Eph 2:12) because they cannot see the light.
Some difficult situations have persisted for so long that it's hard to
believe the situation will ever change for the better. "Hope deferred
makes the heart sick" (Prv 13:12). We wait so long that we're tempted to
be sick at heart, discouraged beyond hope. "But hope is not hope if its
object is seen; how is it possible for one to hope for what he sees?" (Rm
8:24)
Jesus comes this Christmas to give us a living, risen hope (1 Pt 1:3) to
replace any "dead" hope, which is actually hopelessness. "Hope is the
confident expectation of divine blessing and the beatific vision of God;
it is also the fear of offending God's love and incurring punishment"
(Catechism, 2090). A living hope based on Jesus gives us strength to
resist sin (1 Jn 3:3) and expect blessing, even when we are repeatedly
faced with difficulties. In fact, in Jesus these constant difficulties and
afflictions give us greater virtue and purity, and lead to greater hope
(Rm 5:3-4) that overcomes disappointment (Rm 5:5).
"So may God, the Source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace in
believing so that through the power of the Holy Spirit you may have hope
in abundance" (Rm 15:13).
Prayer: Father, in You I hope; in You I live.
Promise: "Those who keep His commandments remain in Him and He in
them." —1 Jn 3:24
Praise: St. John's hope of being ordained was deferred, but God rewarded
him with a new vision and ministry for the new world.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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 © 1998 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
No comments:
Post a Comment