"The Church and Mission" at:
--> http://www.presentationministries.com/BST/latestBST.asp
Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth is designed as a bulletin insert
which you can use at your local church to keep up to date on what the Holy
Father is saying. You are free to reproduce it for this purpose.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, October 19, 2009, Sts. John de Brebeuf,, Isaac Jogues & Companions
Romans 4:20-25, Luke 1:69-75, Luke 12:13-21
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/101909.shtml
INDEPENDENCE DAY
"I will say to myself: 'You have blessings in reserve for years to come.
Relax!' " —Luke 12:19
The man in today's Gospel was already rich (Lk 12:16). He had several
grain bins on his property (Lk 12:18). It had been a year since his last
harvest, and still he had no room to store this year's harvest. Therefore,
his grain bins contained at least a year's foodstores in reserve. Then he
"had a good harvest" (Lk 12:16), so large he was bursting at the seams.
God blessed this man in ways foretold by the prophets (see Am 9:13-14; Is
30:23-25).
This man's speech reveals his heart (Lk 6:45). Though rich, he was worried
about his future. He could have thanked God for a bountiful harvest;
instead, he told himself he was finally financially secure enough to
"relax" (Lk 12:19). He could have shared his plenty with the hungry, thus
growing rich for God. Instead, he only thought of growing rich for himself
(Lk 12:21).
The man rejoiced most of all because he trusted in his reserves rather
than in God. When deciding how to handle his harvest, he consulted himself
rather than God. Now he would be self-sufficient, independent of a God he
never thanks or mentions. His actions and words show he does not trust the
very God Who continues to bless him so abundantly, Who cannot be outgiven,
and Who continues to provide for him. In His mercy, God reserved a place
for this man and all others who insist upon being independent of God "for
years to come" (Lk 12:19). It's called hell.
Some of us could fall into this "trap" of desiring to be secure for the
rest of our life (1 Tm 6:9). Repent! Trust in God alone.
Prayer: Father, I trust You alone for my daily needs (Mt 6:11). May I
never turn from You in times of prosperity (Prv 30:7-9).
Promise: "Our faith will be credited to us also if we believe in Him Who
raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." —Rm 4:24
Praise: Not even thirteen months of torture could shake St. Isaac's desire
to share Christ with the Iroquois.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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