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Saturday, July 4, 2009, St. Elizabeth of Portugal
Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29, Psalm 135:1-6, Matthew 9:14-17
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/070409.shtml
A FAST BUCK
"Then they will fast." —Matthew 9:15
Jesus' disciples did not fast, while the Pharisees and John's disciples
did fast (Mt 9:14). Jesus explained that His disciples would fast later
after they had received a new life in the Spirit. This was necessary
because fasting in Jesus' name is so powerful it would be incompatible
with the old lifestyle. For example, Jesus' kind of fasting is sometimes
very extreme. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights (Mt 4:2). This was
much longer than the Israelites' annual fast on the Day of Atonement and
even the two fast days per week of the Pharisees.
Without the new life in the Spirit, we won't have the discernment,
strength, and purity of motivation which is important for an extensive
fast. Jesus' kind of fasting was also different from Old Testament fasting
because it was an action more than a reaction. Old Testament fasting was
usually a reaction to sin and its disastrous results. However, Jesus used
fasting to inaugurate His public ministry and the Church's first
missionary journey.
Without a life of ministry and mission, we don't have a wineskin that can
hold Jesus' way of fasting. If we have trouble fasting or don't see its
value, most likely we must first change the old wineskin of our lifestyle.
Prayer: Father, lead me to drastically change my lifestyle. May I then
experience a great need to fast.
Promise: "Let peoples serve you, and nations pay you homage." —Gn 27:29
Praise: St. Elizabeth's patience with her husband's unfaithfulness
eventually led him to Christ.
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "The Secret of Fasting", or on
audio AV 46-1 or video V-46.)
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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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