FULL SPEED AHEAD - One Bread, One Body, 5/12/2009

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

Hope Is Focus of Youth Day
Economic Crisis Threatens Human Rights
In Defense of Life: F O C A
Prison to Praise: What Are You Giving Up for Lent?
Church Reaches Out To Suffering
Jesus Is The Answer To Suffering

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009, Sts. Nereus & Achilleus, St. Pancras

Acts 14:19-28, Psalm 145, John 14:27-31
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/051209.shtml

FULL SPEED AHEAD

"His disciples quickly formed a circle about him, and before long he got
up and went back into the town." —Acts 14:20

In Lystra, Paul was beaten unconscious and possibly murdered. He was
dramatically healed and/or raised from the dead. At this point, most of us
would think that it's time to go home because things were obviously
getting out of hand. We would probably think of "making a retreat."

However, Paul saw adversity not as a call to retreat, but as an
opportunity for even more intense initiative. First, Paul had the "guts"
to go back into Lystra. The next day he left for Derbe where he "made
numerous disciples" (Acts 14:21). Then he went back to Lystra, Iconium,
and Antioch in Pisidia, "encouraged them to persevere in the faith," and
installed elders (Acts 14:22-23). After preaching in Perga, only then did
Paul return home to Antioch in Syria.

Often our work doesn't begin to bear fruit until, like grains of wheat, we
fall to the earth and die (Jn 12:24). Often adversity is a green light
rather than a red one. Paul said: "Fresh from the humiliation we had
suffered at Philippi — about which you know — we drew courage from our God
to preach His good tidings to you in the face of great opposition" (1 Thes
2:2). New sufferings call for new initiatives.

Prayer: Father, give me the courage to charge when I feel like retreating.

Promise: "My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world
gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful." —Jn 14:27

Praise: The bas-relief of St. Achilleus' martyrdom in 304 is the earliest
such memorial. Praise God for giving St. Achilleus the grace to win the
crown of martyrdom.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Evangelization" on audio AV 55-1
and AV 55-3 or video V-55.)

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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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