NOW, NOW, NOW - One Bread, One Body, 2/17/2010

For Lent follow our Bible reading schedule called, "A Prophetic Lent"

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/APropheticLent.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, February 17, 2010, Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2, Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17, Matthew
6:1-6, 16-18
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021710.shtml

NOW, NOW, NOW

"Even now, says the Lord, return to Me with your whole heart, with
fasting, and weeping, and mourning; rend your hearts." —Joel 2:12-13

The first words of the Lenten Scripture readings are "even now" (Jl 2:12).
The people of Joel's time had undergone a catastrophe, but even after this
tragedy they had a "now" when they could return to the Lord with their
whole heart (Jl 2:12). No matter how bad the past has been or how fearsome
the future may be, "now is the acceptable time!" (2 Cor 6:2)

Thank God for the "now." We may be on our way to hell, but now we can
repent. We may harbor hatred and unforgiveness in our hearts, but now we
have the opportunity to change all that. While we are on this earth, every
"now" means there is hope.

Eventually, each one of us will face a moment of decision, a "now or
never." This will be our last "now" on earth, our last opportunity to
repent of sin and to love Jesus with all our heart. After this final
"now," there will be no reason to hope. We will have either perfect,
eternal happiness or eternal damnation.

Thus, we see how precious are the "now," the "even now," and the "now or
never." We see how priceless are the gifts of Ash Wednesday, Lent, and
this present moment on the way to eternity. Therefore, "delay not to
forsake sins" (Sir 18:21). "Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it
not off from day to day" (Sir 5:8). "Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor
6:2)

Prayer: Father, may I live this day as if it were my last.

Promise: "No one can see you are fasting but your Father Who is hidden;
and your Father Who sees what is hidden will repay you." —Mt 6:18

Praise: Marie felt God touch her with His words "even now" and repented of
spiritual apathy.

(Now is the time to start daily family prayer. To help, order our tape
"Family Prayer" on audio AV 59-1 or video V-59.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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 © 2010 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