THE BEST LENT OF ALL - One Bread, One Body, 2/23/2010

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010, St. Polycarp

Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19, Matthew 6:7-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022310.shtml

THE BEST LENT OF ALL

"It shall not return to Me void." —Isaiah 55:11

Lent is less than a week old. Today is our sixth day of fasting (not
counting Sunday). Have you had a good start to Lent or are you still
celebrating Mardi Gras? Last Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, the Lord commanded
us through His word and His Church to give alms, pray, and fast (Mt
6:1ff). Have you obeyed? If you've had a good start to Lent, thank the
Lord and pray for perseverance. If you've ignored and disobeyed the Lord,
repent and begin Lent now.

This Lent, God's word will do His will for some people and achieve the end
for which the Lord sent it (Is 55:11). Yet will you be among those
transformed by God's grace this Lent? Will this Lent be the springtime of
your life in the Spirit or a continuation of a cold, grim spiritual
winter?

We all want to say this Lent will make a difference for ourselves and our
world, but we've said that before. Our good intentions seem ruined
repeatedly by our human weakness. The good news, however, is that Jesus
not only commands us to obey Him this Lent, but also gives us the power to
obey. This Lent can be the best Lent of your life. "He Who calls us is
trustworthy, therefore He will do it" (1 Thes 5:24).

Prayer: Father, Your will be done this Lent as it is in heaven (see Mt
6:10).

Promise: "If you forgive the faults of others, your heavenly Father will
forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father
forgive you." —Mt 6:14-15

Praise: When asked by his executioners to renounce Jesus, St. Polycarp
spoke for Christ by saying, "For 86 years I have been His servant and He
has never done me wrong." He accepted his martyrdom as Jesus accepted His
cross.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "Risen Life", or our audio
tapes AV 4A-1, AV 4A-3, AV 4B-1, AV 4B-3 or video V-4A, V-4B.)

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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
February 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, August 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.

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