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Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth is designed as a bulletin insert
which you can use at your local church to keep up to date on what the Holy
Father is saying. You are free to reproduce it for this purpose.
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Friday, May 21, 2010, St. Christopher Magallanes, Pentecost Novena - Day 8
Acts 25:13-21, Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20, John 21:15-19
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/052110.shtml
SPREAD THIN TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL
"I issued orders that [Paul] be kept in custody until I could send him to
the emperor." —Acts 25:21
The goal of Acts of the Apostles is that the gospel of Jesus reach to the
ends of the earth. Acts considers Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire,
to be "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The last seven chapters of
Acts record a series of extremely messy events which led St. Paul to Rome.
In order for the gospel to reach Rome, Paul had to endure great
sufferings. Paul paid the price of two extra years in prison so that the
gospel could be heard by the highest officials in the Roman Empire. Yet
Paul rejoiced because his personal sufferings turned into a blessing for
evangelization, saying: "My situation has worked out to the furtherance of
the gospel" (Phil 1:12).
Paul wasn't the only one who endured messy sufferings for the spread of
the gospel. St. Peter paid the price of being bound and held captive so as
to build up the Church (see Jn 21:18-19). Jesus spent over thirty years
separated from the bliss of heavenly union with His Father so that the
gospel could reach a lost world.
As servants of God, we are "taken captive by God to do His will" (2 Tm
2:26), and God's will is that all people "be saved and come to know the
truth" (1 Tm 2:4). The messes in our lives may be precisely the means that
God uses for a greater purpose — to spread His word. Say with Jesus,
Peter, and Paul: "I am not seeking my own will but the will of Him Who
sent me" (Jn 5:30).
Prayer: Jesus, I would rather endure years of suffering for You and Your
Word than live in comfort without You (see Ps 84:11). I give my life to
You so Your sheep may be fed (Jn 21:15-17).
Promise: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He put our
transgressions from us." —Ps 103:12
Praise: St. Christopher shouted during his martyrdom: "I forgive with all
my heart those responsible for my death."
(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 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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