"Love and Truth" at:
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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.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009, Dedication of the Churches, of Sts. Peter &
Paul, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31, Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15, Luke 19:11-28
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/111809.shtml
YOUR LIFESAVING INVESTMENT
"Invest this." —Luke 19:13
In Matthew's version of the parable of the sums of money, the master
lavishly praises his servants and invites them to share in his joy (Mt
25:21, 23). However in Luke's account, the master is demanding, severe,
and unwilling to act with patience toward his servants, much as we would
act toward an investment broker to whom we had entrusted thousands of
dollars.
One message of this passage is that God expects performance from us. He
invested the precious gift of life within us. Then He invested spiritual
gifts and natural talents in us. Though He created us out of sheer love,
He also expects a lasting return from us (Jn 15:16) and commands us to
"invest" our lives in His service until He returns (Lk 19:13). In fact,
the context of this parable in Luke's Gospel is Jesus' entry into
Jerusalem (Lk 19:28): it's the time of visitation (Lk 19:44) and settling
accounts (Lk 19:15; 20:10).
Investing our "all" is not an optional extra in the Christian life. It's a
matter of life and death. The servant who did not invest his life for
Jesus was judged as "worthless" (Lk 19:22) and was cast out into hell (Mt
25:30).
Are you holding back on giving anything in your life to Jesus? Jesus is
"coming soon" (Rv 22:20). The day of visitation may be sooner than you
think. "Why delay, then?" (Acts 22:16) Give your all to Jesus. Lay down
your life in total service to Him now.
Prayer: Father, I "disregard" myself for Your sake (2 Mc 7:23). I am all
Yours. Use me and use me up.
Promise: "I in justice shall behold Your face; on waking, I shall be
content in Your presence." —Ps 17:15
Praise: "Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He Who in
His great mercy gave us new birth" (1 Pt 1:3).
(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
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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