THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD - One Bread, One Body, 10/9/2009

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Friday, October 9, 2009, St. Denis & Companions, St. John Leonardi

Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2, Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9, Luke 11:15-26
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/100909.shtml

THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

"Call an assembly." —Joel 1:14

The Lord considers it a high priority for His people to assemble. He
promises: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their
midst" (Mt 18:20). Therefore, "we should not absent ourselves from the
assembly, as some do, but encourage one another; and this all the more
because you see that the Day draws near" (Heb 10:25). It is so important
for us to assemble that the Catholic Church was led by the Spirit to make
the Sunday assembly (Sunday Mass) an obligation we must do our best to
fulfill or else we commit a serious sin.

However, most Christians, including Catholics, don't believe God's
revelation that our assemblies are so important. Almost half the
registered Catholics in the USA don't attend Sunday Mass. Even many who do
go on Sunday don't consider it that important. Therefore, they don't
assemble any more than they have to — only on Sunday.

One reason our assemblies are not much appreciated is because they often
lack a most important aspect of a godly assembly — repentance. Joel did
not merely call an assembly; he called for repentance (Jl 1:13). Peter did
the same at the very first assembly of the Church. On Pentecost afternoon,
when the Church was born, there was an assembly in which three-thousand
people repented and opened the door to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, assemble, repent, receive, rejoice!

Prayer: Father, let the presence of other Christians inspire me to repent.

Promise: "If it is by the finger of God that I cast out devils, then the
reign of God is upon you." —Lk 11:20

Praise: St. John Leonardi prayed and meditated in solitude for years
before becoming a priest at age thirty-two.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "The Secret of Confession" or
our tape on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)

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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
October 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, June 3, 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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