FRUIT OF THE LIPS (see Heb 13:15) - One Bread, One Body, 9/6/2009

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

U.S. Bishops: Health Care Reform Must Respect Life
Genuine Health Care Reform Is "Moral Imperative"
In Defense of Life: Terri's Legacy
Light to the Nations: A Christian Perspective on World News
Battle The Culture Of Death
Prison To Praise: Seek Out The Lord
Day Highlights Humanitarian Needs
Humanitarian Aid: A Continuing Challenge

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Sunday, September 6, 2009, 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 35:4-7, James 2:1-5, Psalm 146:6-10, Mark 7:31-37
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/090609.shtml

FRUIT OF THE LIPS (see Heb 13:15)

Jesus "put His fingers into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his
tongue." —Mark 7:33

Jesus' gestures of inserting his fingers into a deaf-mute man's ears and
touching the man's tongue seem foreign to our modern, antiseptic culture.
Yet if you're baptized, you experienced the touch of Jesus in a similar
way. At baptism, the priest or deacon touched your ears and lips, praying
that God would open your ears to hear His word and your lips to proclaim
it.

Before Jesus touched the deaf-mute, "He looked up to heaven and emitted a
groan. He said to him, 'Ephphatha!' (that is, 'Be opened!') At once the
man's ears were opened; he was freed from the impediment, and began to
speak plainly" (Mk 7:34-35). Jesus is still the same today (Heb 13:8).
He's still groaning and praying that our ears and mouths would be open to
the Word of God.

Years of listening to loud music results in a gradual loss of hearing.
Likewise, years of listening to the noise and voices of the world causes
our spiritual hearing to decay. Repent of any spiritual deafness or
muteness. Allow Jesus to take you off by yourself with Him, away from the
hubbub of the world that crowds around you (Mk 7:33). Let Him touch you
anew and renew your baptismal innocence. "Be opened!" (Mk 7:34)

Prayer: Jesus, whenever I cross myself as I hear the Gospel proclaimed at
Mass, touch my forehead, lips, and heart as You touched the deaf-mute.
Open my lips to speak Your word.

Promise: "Did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom He promised to those who love
Him?" —Jas 2:5

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who, upon calling us by name, allows us to recognize
His risen glory.

(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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