GODLY SADNESS - One Bread, One Body, 9/30/2009

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Wednesday, September 30, 2009, St. Jerome

Nehemiah 2:1-8, Psalm 137:1-6, Luke 9:57-62
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/093009.shtml

GODLY SADNESS

"The king asked me, 'Why do you look sad?' " —Nehemiah 2:2

Nehemiah was sad because the gates of Jerusalem had been in ruins for well
over a century. Francis of Assisi was sad because the Church had been in
ruins for hundreds of years. The sadness of both of these people led to t
he rebuilding of the people of God, the Church.

The only people who will rebuild the Church are those who love the Church
even when she is so disfigured, sinful, and unlovable. The only people who
will rebuild the Church are those who love the Church enough to be sad
about its condition. "Indeed, sorrow for God's sake produces a repentance
without regrets, leading to salvation, whereas worldly sorrow brings
death. Just look at the fruit of this sorrow which stems from God. What a
measure of holy zeal it has brought you" (2 Cor 7:10-11). When our love
for the Church becomes so deep that we are moved to sadness by the stones
and dust of its ruins, then the Lord will arise and have mercy on us (Ps
102:14-15; see also Ez 9:4). "The appointed time" for rebuilding the
Church has then come.

Pray for love deep enough to be sad not for yourself, but for the Church.
We need the sadness of love to begin the rebuilding of the Church.

Prayer: Father, give me a godly sadness because of a divine love.

Promise: "Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is
unfit for the reign of God." —Lk 9:62

Praise: St. Jerome inspired many with his words, "Ignorance of the
Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" (Catechism, 133).

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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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