THE JOY OF PERSECUTION - One Bread, One Body, 4/18/2010

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Sunday, April 18, 2010, Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 5:27-32, 40-41, Revelation 5:11-14, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, John
21:1-19
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/041810.shtml

THE JOY OF PERSECUTION

"The apostles for their part left the Sanhedrin full of joy that they had
been judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of the Name." —Acts 5:41

How do you know whether you're really getting into the Easter Spirit? Are
you being persecuted because of your witness for the risen Christ? Are you
joyful that you have been judged worthy of this persecution? Persecution
and joy are the tell-tale signs of a real Easter — not either persecution
or joy, but both persecution and joy.

This doesn't mean that we have to feel good about persecution but that we
rejoice in the Lord always no matter what (Phil 4:4). Some Christians
maintain they are witnessing for Jesus but not persecuted, because those
around them are too nice to do such a thing. Possibly the Lord has spared
them persecution for a time, but more likely they're not proclaiming the
radical gospel of the risen Christ.

When people don't believe in the risen Christ, persecution is a normal
response to the earth-shaking, mind- boggling, life-transforming message
of the resurrection. There's nothing that can shake people up more than
the resurrection. Since Jesus is risen and death is defeated, they must
change their lives dramatically and radically. This challenge will result
in either repentance or persecution. Both of these reactions result in joy
for Christians (see Lk 15:7).

Prayer: Father, may I rejoice in persecution more than in pleasure.

Promise: "To the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and
honor, glory and might, forever and ever!" —Rv 5:13

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Whose love knows no bounds! Alleluia!

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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 April
1, 2010 through May 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 9, 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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