"MAKING A BELIEVER OUT OF YOU" - One Bread, One Body, 3/15/2010

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Lenten Message Focuses On Justice
St. Francis Of Assisi: Giant Of Holiness
Poverty Is A Scandal
In Defense of Life: The Hand Of God
Haiti Quake Produces "Miracles"
Drop The Debt For Haiti

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Isaiah 65:17-21, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, John 4:43-54
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/031510.shtml

"MAKING A BELIEVER OUT OF YOU"

"He and his whole household thereupon became believers." —John 4:53

"All depends on faith, everything is grace" (Rm 4:16). Therefore, Easter
depends on faith. Our resurrection from the dead depends on faith. Eternal
life depends on faith. Thus, we need a strong, ever-growing faith in the
person of Jesus. We believe, but we keep asking God to help our lack of
faith (Mk 9:24).

In today's Gospel reading, John may be making a distinction between
believing and being a believer. He writes that the royal official believed
Jesus' promise that his son would be healed and live (Jn 4:50). Yet, after
hearing of his son's healing the next day, this believing official became
a believer (Jn 4:53). How could he have become a believer when he already
believed unless believing and being a believer are not the same thing?

Everyone believes in certain aspects of Christianity. Even most atheists
believe in the humanitarian work of Christianity. Most people believe in
many Christian doctrines. They may even believe in the power of prayer.
Yet all this believing does not make these people "believers." Believers
don't just believe. They "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). They
no longer live their own life but "a life of faith in the Son of God" (Gal
2:20). For believers, faith is not an occasional experience but a way of
life. Don't just believe. Be a believer.

Prayer: Father, this Lent give me confident assurance about invisible
things (see Heb 11:1).

Promise: "Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth." —Is 65:17

Praise: When falsely convicted, Angela learned her need to forgive was
greater than even her desire for "justice."

(For a related teaching, order our tape on "Developing A Deep Personal
Relationship with Jesus" on audio AV 52-1 or video V-52.)

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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 26, 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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