DEADBEATS? - One Bread, One Body, 3/2/2009

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

Fighting Poverty Is Crucial In Building Peace
Lay Ministry Remains Urgent
In Defense of Life: In The News
Pope Telegrams President Obama

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

Monday, March 2, 2009

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18, Psalm 19, Matthew 25:31-46
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/030209.shtml

DEADBEATS?

"...nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor's life is at
stake." —Leviticus 19:16

It is seriously sinful to be idle, apathetic, lethargic when people's
lives are at stake. This means we must do something to stop abortion.
Millions of lives are literally and immediately at stake. Also, we must
not stand by idly while millions continue to starve to death. We must
radically simplify our lifestyle or we will be part of a system that
almost automatically oppresses the poor and leaves millions starving.

Furthermore, the physical destruction of so many lives is symptomatic of
the spiritual destruction of many lives. Those idle in the face of death
not only sin but also become dead themselves. If we are not to join the
ranks of the "living dead" (see 1 Jn 3:14), we must not stand by idly when
others are in danger of spiritual death. This means we are obligated to
call Christians to repentance and holiness.

We are especially obligated to call non-Christians to Christ. If we stand
by idly and refuse to share our love for Jesus, we will be sinning and
putting one foot in the grave. We must evangelize or be the "deadest of
the dead" (see 1 Cor 15:18).

Prayer: Father, help me take Your command to evangelize as a matter of
life or death.

Promise: "The King will answer them: 'I assure you, as often as you did it
for one of My least brothers, you did it for Me.' " —Mt 25:40

Praise: Charles hadn't noticed how his prayer life had deadened until the
liturgies of Lent called him to revive it.

(For related teaching, order our leaflet, "Mission Impossible", or our
tape on audio AV 46-1 or video V-46.)

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

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.

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

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 © 2003 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