ALL ALONE? - One Bread, One Body, 3/24/2009

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

Fasting Opens People Up
Trust In God Is Answer To Challenges
In Defense of Life: Organ Transplants
Debt Continues To Enslave
Prison To Praise: Action On The Set
Christian Family Is Called to Be "A Living Gospel"

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, Psalm 46, John 5:1-16
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/032409.shtml

ALL ALONE?

"I do not have anyone." —John 5:7

Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 years whether he wanted to be
healed (Jn 5:6). The man never answered Jesus' question. Instead, he
lamented that he didn't have anyone to plunge him into the pool of
Bethesda (Jn 5:7). Like the sick man at the pool of Bethesda, many sick
people are not thinking of their sickness as much as of their loneliness
and sense of being abandoned. Many of us are preoccupied with the feeling
that we "have no one."

As we face loneliness, rejection, and abandonment in our lives, we can
either center and wrap our lives around this loneliness or we can turn to
Jesus. Jesus has promised to definitively deal with our loneliness by
being with us (Mt 28:20) and within us always (Jn 17:23). We may try to
compensate for our loneliness by getting attention through being and
staying sick, making money, or accumulating possessions. We will probably
hold unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness against those who have left
us alone.

Instead of turning to our loneliness, we can turn to Jesus. He was
lonelier than anyone who has ever lived when His sweat became as drops of
blood at the agony in the garden (see Lk 22:44) and when He hung on the
cross and cried "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mt 27:46)
Jesus was in terrifying loneliness. He understands your suffering. Abandon
yourself to Jesus. He will never leave you (see Heb 13:5).

Prayer: Father, may I believe that I can never be alone for You are with
me (Jn 16:32).

Promise: "Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can
multiply shall live." —Ez 47:9

Praise: After confessing his sexual sin, Andrew was able, by the grace of
God, to sin no more (see Jn 8:11).

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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
February 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, August 11, 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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