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Wednesday, March 4, 2009, St. Casimir
Jonah 3:1-10, Psalm 51, Luke 11:29-32
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/030409.shtml
"SUNDAY OBLIGATION"
"My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled,
O God, you will not spurn." —Psalm 51:19
When the Lord called Jonah to preach repentance to the Ninevites, Jonah
disobeyed and ran away to Tarshish. After spending three days in the belly
of a whale, Jonah reconsidered and went to Nineveh. He obeyed God, but
according to the letter of the law, not its spirit (see 2 Cor 3:6). His
heart wasn't in it. He didn't want the Ninevites to repent and be saved.
We sometimes obey God when our hearts are not in it. Some don't commit
adultery only because they fear the consequences or don't have the
opportunity. They're obeying the letter of the law but not its spirit.
God's word says: "Like a eunuch lusting for intimacy with a maiden is he
who does right under compulsion" (Sir 20:3).
Many people go to Mass on Sunday only because it's their "Sunday
obligation." This is good, but the Lord calls us to a deep personal
relationship with Him. Many businesses avoid expressing racism because
they don't want to be taken to court or get bad publicity, while the CEOs
of these businesses remain prejudiced.
T.S. Eliot said: "The greatest treason is to do the right thing for the
wrong reason" (Murder in the Cathedral). Obey both the letter and spirit
of the law.
Prayer: Father, may my love for You motivate my every action and decision
(2 Cor 5:14).
Promise: "At the judgment, the citizens of Nineveh will rise along with
the present generation, and they will condemn it. For at the preaching of
Jonah they reformed, but you have a greater than Jonah here." —Lk 11:32
Praise: St. Casimir gave up the prospect of marriage to royalty in order
to follow God's prompting to celibacy.
(For a related teaching, order our tape on "Developing A Deep Personal
Relationship with Jesus" on audio AV 52-1 or video V-52.)
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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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