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Saturday, March 28, 2009
Jeremiah 11:18-20, Psalm 7, John 7:40-53
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/032809.shtml
"THE AVENGER OF BLOOD" (Nm 35:12)
"Let me witness the vengeance You take on them." —Jeremiah 11:20
The people to whom Jeremiah prophesied were treacherously planning to kill
him (Jer 11:19). Jeremiah risked his neck to serve God, and he wanted God
to back him up by taking vengeance on these enemies. In addition, Jeremiah
wanted to see it personally.
We Christians have enemies also. Unlike Jeremiah, we do get to witness the
vengeance God takes on them. We see:
* Jesus destroying the devil's works (1 Jn 3:8),
* the pride of the powerful crushed as they gaze upon Jesus crucified
(see Is 52:15),
* sinners emerging from the confessional with tears of repentance and
gratitude as Jesus in His vengeance robs Satan of still more of his former
captives (Col 2:15).
God commands in His word: "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves; leave that
to [Me]...'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay' " (Rm 12:19). Yet we can have
a role. God's word tells us: "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is
thirsty, give him something to drink; by doing this you will heap burning
coals upon his head" (Rm 12:20).
God is perfectly just (1 Cor 1:30; Is 30:18). He is able to punish the
wicked until they are forced to choose for Him or against Him (2 Pt 2:9).
He can avenge by acting in justice or avenge through mercy. Let's do our
part as God's agents so His enemies and ours receive the right kind of
vengeance from God (Rm 12:20).
Prayer: Father, may the burning coals of kindness I pour on my enemies
melt their hearts and lead them to You.
Promise: "No man ever spoke like that before." —Jn 7:46
Praise: In prayer, Jan made a distinct decision to be kind to a
cantankerous neighbor and saw that woman grow in love in response to her
kindness.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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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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