FRUIT AND NUTS - One Bread, One Body, 6/1/2009

Listen to Fr. Lauer teach about Pentecost. There are 5 teachings about
Life in the Spirit at the link below. You can listen online or download
the MP3s.

http://www.presentationministries.com/tapes/tape.asp?pubID=319
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Monday, June 1, 2009, St. Justin

Tobit 1:3; 2:1-8, Psalm 112:1-6, Mark 12:1-12
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/060109.shtml

FRUIT AND NUTS

"He still had One to send — the Son Whom He loved. He sent Him to them as
a last resort, thinking, 'They will have to respect My Son.' " —Mark 12:6

God, the good Master, digs out a vat for tenants who will soon mock His
messengers and murder His Son (Mk 12:1-8). The tenant farmers were
entrusted to run the vineyard for the Master in His absence. They have
been given much, and therefore much will be required of them (Lk 12:48).
The Master has the right, in justice, to receive His own fruit from His
own property, so He sent a messenger to receive His share of the fruit.

When the tenants beat the first messenger (Mk 12:3), the Master could have
sent the police to evict the ungrateful tenants. Instead, He sent His
prophets to enrich them, essentially to hoe around them another year (Lk
13:8). These were beaten, mocked, and even killed. Incredibly, the Master
even sent His Son as a "last resort" (Mk 12:6). Doesn't the Master "get
it"? Either the Master is incredibly stupid or He is loving and merciful
far beyond our ability to comprehend.

Jesus told the parable of the tenants for the religious leaders of His day
(Mk 12:12). It was intended as a means to urge them to accept Jesus as
God's Son. After being given so many chances to bear the fruit God sought,
how did Jesus' hearers respond to Him? "They left Him and went off" (Mk
12:12).

Jesus seeks kingdom-fruit from us (Mk 12:2). We must repent deeply of the
times we have heard Him and walked away (Mk 12:12). Let's be His disciples
and bear much fruit (Jn 15:8).

Prayer: Jesus, trim me clean of barren branches so I may bear an increased
yield of fruit for You (Jn 15:2).

Promise: "Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His
commands." —Ps 112:1

Praise: St. Justin's last recorded words were addressed to his
executioners: "Do as you will. We are Christians; we do not offer
sacrifice to idols."

(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 June
1, 2009 through July 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, January 5, 2009

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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