GOD IS WATCHING YOU! - One Bread, One Body, 3/6/2010

How do you bring your loved ones closer to God? Read "Leading Your Loved
Ones to Christ" for some ideas.

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/LeadLoved.asp
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Saturday, March 6, 2010

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/030610.shtml

GOD IS WATCHING YOU!

"While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was
deeply moved." —Luke 15:20

I've often heard people picture God as distant and aloof, watching in
vigilance for them to step out of line. These folks envision God as a
scorekeeper ready and eager to punish their sins and failings.

Today's eucharistic Scriptures reveal a totally different picture of God.
Yes, He indeed is watching each of us. Jesus reveals that God the Father
watches us like the father of the prodigal son watched for his wayward
child. The reason the father spotted the boy "while he was still a long
way off" (Lk 15:20) was because he was constantly, lovingly, vigilantly
looking for him. Likewise, God absolutely delights in showering us with
mercy (Mi 7:18) and watches eagerly for the moment when we are ready to
receive it.

We are commanded to "fix [our] eyes on Jesus" (Heb 3:1). However, we can
do this only because the Lord has first fixed His eyes on us. The Old
Testament reveals that God "watches over" the just and blameless (Ps 1:6;
34:21; 37:18). Jesus reveals in the New Testament that God watches over
even the sinners and those who hate or ignore Him (Lk 15:20; Mt 5:45).

Jesus "watched" Peter and Andrew before He called them to their vocations
(Mt 4:18). He watches us even while we are "still a long way" from serving
Him. He sees us not for who we are, but for who we can be in Him: royal,
priestly, holy, and chosen (1 Pt 2:9). God loves to look at us. He pleads:
"Let Me see you...You are lovely" (Sg 2:14). "Come to" Jesus. You are
"precious in God's eyes" (1 Pt 2:4). You are the apple of His eye! (Ps
17:8)

Prayer: Lord, may I always put a twinkle in Your eyes.

Promise: "You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins." —Mi 7:19

Praise: Reading the lives of the saints inspires Maria to work toward her
own holiness.

(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
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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