DOUBT AND DO WITHOUT - One Bread, One Body, 12/19/2009

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25, Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17, Luke 1:5-25
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/121909.shtml

DOUBT AND DO WITHOUT

"Now you will be mute — unable to speak — until the day these things take
place, because you have not trusted my words." —Luke 1:20

We see many people who are spiritually deaf and dumb. The Lord has
repeatedly proclaimed His love for them and warned them, but still they
waltz into Christmas as if there were no Christ, no sin, no salvation, no
meaning to life, and no eternal life. These people are spiritually deaf.
Many others, even Christians, are spiritually dumb. They can talk about
anything but Jesus. Christ is the only One given the "silent treatment" at
Christmas, although Christmas is intended to celebrate His birthday.

Although it's rather easy to recognize spiritual deafness and dumbness in
others, people may be noticing it in us. To be freed from this condition,
we must find the cause of it. Possibly the cause of our spiritual deafness
and dumbness is the same as the cause of Zechariah's physical deafness and
dumbness. Because Zechariah doubted the angel's message, he was struck
deaf and dumb (Lk 1:18ff). He was healed when he showed faith in the
angel's message by naming his child John (Lk 1:63-64).

Have we succumbed to temptations to doubt? Have we let ourselves be
infected by the skepticism of our secular culture? Is doubt the cause of
our unwillingness to hear God and our inability to speak up for Him?
Repent of doubt and watch what other areas of your life are transformed.

Prayer: Father, may I not persist in my "unbelief, but believe" (Jn
20:27).

Promise: "The boy grew up and the Lord blessed him; the Spirit of the Lord
first stirred him." —Jgs 13:24-25

Praise: "O Flower of Jesse's stem, You have been raised up as a Sign for
all peoples."

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Spiritual Blindness" on audio AV
65-1 or video V-65.)

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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
December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, June 4, 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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