Acts 7:51— 8:1, Psalm 31, John 6:30-35
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SILENT DEATH
"Jesus explained to them: 'I Myself am the Bread of Life.' " —John 6:35
At Easter time, we celebrate life and the victory of life over death
through Jesus' resurrection. Christians are "pro-life" in the most extreme
sense of the word. Yet, like Saul, we sometimes find ourselves concurring
"in the act of killing" (Acts 8:1). We are pro-life by conviction but
pro-death by default.
For example, Saul joined in the mob's murder of Stephen by merely letting
the murderers pile their cloaks at his feet (Acts 7:58). He did not touch
Stephen. He may not have even touched the cloaks. He just stood there, but
that's all it takes to be an accomplice.
Apathy is as deadly as violence. At this Easter season, let's break all
ties with death and wash all the blood from our hands. Let's not pretend
apathy is innocence but rather repent and decide to wake up, stand up, and
speak up for life. Every baby in the womb, starving child, victim of
racism, and helpless old person is our business because we are committed
to Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25).
Prayer: Father, I choose life and reject apathy.
Promise: "No one who comes to Me shall ever be hungry." —Jn 6:35
Praise: St. Louis, a missionary and martyr, chose a life of spiritual
warfare as he met great spiritual resistance in propagating devotion to
the Blessed Mother.
(For related teaching, order our leaflet, "The Challenge of Making
Disciples in a Culture of Death", or on audio AV 97-1 and AV 97-3 or on
video V-97.)
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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 April
1, 2009 through May 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 3, 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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