Isaiah 50:4-9, James 2:14-18, Psalm 116:1-6, 8-9, Mark 8:27-35
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/091309.shtml
THE PRIVILEGE OF SUFFERING (Phil 1:29)
"He began to teach them that the Son of Man had to suffer much, be
rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be put to
death, and rise three days later. He said these things quite
openly." —Mark 8:31-32
Jesus is very open about the fact that we will have to suffer and bear our
"share of the hardship which the gospel entails" (2 Tm 1:8). He bluntly
states that we who follow Him must deny ourselves and take up the cross
(Mk 8:34). Suffering is the way of salvation, and necessary for the
completion of God's plan of salvation. We fill up in our own flesh "what
is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His body, the
Church" (Col 1:24).
This does not mean that all suffering is God's will. Jesus repeatedly
takes people out of suffering by healing and delivering them. Every
hospital, doctor's office, and social service agency exists to alleviate
suffering. Nonetheless, some sufferings are in the pattern of Jesus' death
(Phil 3:10). These we should not relieve but accept as our sharing in the
sufferings of Christ.
"See to it none of you suffers for being a murderer, a thief, a
malefactor, or a destroyer of another's rights. If anyone suffers for
being a Christian, however, he ought not to be ashamed. He should rather
glorify God in virtue of that name" (1 Pt 4:15-16).
Prayer: King Jesus, may I be found worthy of Your kingdom and suffer for
it (2 Thes 1:5).
Promise: "The Lord God is my Help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have
set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame." —Is
50:7
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who set Himself up as an Example of how to lay down
one's life (1 Pt 2:21). Alleluia!
(Looking ahead to November, we offer a "Married Couples Re""treat", Nov.
6-7, and a "Mother/Daughter Retreat", Nov. 20-21. Call 937-587-5464 or
513-373-2397 for more information, or see our web site,
www.presentationministries.com.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2009 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment