by Fr. Lauer seems to be good reading at this point in time.
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/BibleOnMoney.asp
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Friday, August 7, 2009, Pope St. Sixtus II, St. Cajetan
Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Psalm 77:12-16, 21, Matthew 16:24-28
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/080709.shtml
IN STEP WITH JESUS
"Jesus then said to His disciples, 'If a man wishes to come after Me, he
must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in My
footsteps.' " —Matthew 16:24
When I was a boy, my friends and I often played a winter game in the snow.
The leader would walk across a snowy field. The rest of us had to place
our feet exactly into the leader's footprints without disturbing any of
the surrounding snow. The one who followed the footprints most exactly was
the winner.
Discipleship is much like that game. We are called to "follow in" Jesus'
"footsteps" as precisely as possible (Mt 16:24). We go where Jesus goes
and do what He does. Jesus goes to Calvary and His steps lead to the
cross; we "take up" our cross (Mt 16:24) and go there too. Jesus denies
Himself and washes the feet of those who will betray and abandon Him (Jn
13:4ff); likewise, we deny ourselves (Mt 16:24) and forgive and serve
those who hurt us. Jesus prays long into the night (Mk 6:46ff); we are
challenged to do that too.
A funny thing about that childhood game: when I followed the steps of the
leader exactly, my feet didn't get cold because the leader had packed down
the snow. If I messed up my steps, I got snow down my boots and I had cold
feet. Discipleship is like that also. We only get "cold feet" about
following Jesus when we get out of step in following Him. If we follow
directly in His steps, we are protected and strengthened for that next
step of discipleship. Jesus says: "Follow in My footsteps" (Mt 16:24).
Prayer: Father, I will "fix [my] eyes on Jesus" (Heb 3:1) forever.
Promise: "You must keep His statutes and commandments which I enjoin on
you today, that you and your children after you may prosper." —Dt 4:40
Praise: Pope St. Sixtus II followed in the footsteps of his Lord by laying
down his life in service, then giving it up in martyrdom.
(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
August 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, February 11, 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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