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Saturday, May 2, 2009

RAISE THE DEAD - One Bread, One Body, 5/2/2009

Saturday, May 2, 2009, St. Athanasius

Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116, John 6:60-69
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RAISE THE DEAD

"Peter first made everyone go outside; then he knelt down and prayed.
Turning to the dead body, he said, 'Tabitha, stand up.' She opened her
eyes, then looked at Peter and sat up." —Acts 9:40

The resurrection is not only a past and future event but also a present
happening. After Jesus' resurrection, the early Church saw people raised
from the dead. For example, Peter raised Tabitha from the dead in Joppa
(Acts 9:40). Paul also raised the dead (Acts 20:9-12) and may have been
raised from the dead himself (Acts 14:19-20). The writer of Hebrews makes
it clear that "women received back their dead through resurrection" (Heb
11:35).

We should expect this because Jesus promised that those who believed in
Him would do greater works than He did (Jn 14:12). He even commanded us to
raise the dead (Mt 10:8). Most dead people should stay dead and go right
to the merciful arms of the Lord, but a few should be raised from the
dead. We should at least be open to God using us in this way on some
occasions. We must not automatically rule out something the Lord has
clearly called us to do.

So "cure the sick, raise the dead" (Mt 10:8). The Lord will provide the
power to do what He commands us, even the power to raise the dead.


Prayer: Lord, remove any of my preconceived notions that are not Yours.
Pour out Your Spirit on us, that we may raise both the physically dead and
the spiritually dead.

Promise: "You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe; we
are convinced that You are God's Holy One." —Jn 6:68-69

Praise: As a new bishop, St. Athanasius went on retreat with Anthony of
the Desert. Later, he faithfully suffered lawsuits, persecution, and
misunderstanding for love of his God.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "I Believe in Miracles" on audio
AV 63-3 or video V-63.)

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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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