WORD WORK - One Bread, One Body, 9/18/2010

Join us on Sept. 25 for our Mother/Daughter retreat or on Oct. 2 for our Father/Son retreat. The retreats take place at the Paul Jansen Discipleship Center in Peebles, OH. More info and registration at the link below.

http://www.presentationministries.com/pjdc/retreatSchedule.asp
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Saturday, September 18, 2010

1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49, Psalm 56:10-14, Luke 8:4-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/091810.shtml

WORD WORK

"This is the meaning of the parable...hear the word in a spirit of openness, retain it, and bear fruit through perseverance." -Luke 8:11, 15

Ground is valued by its fertility, that is, how productive and fruitful it is. Jesus tells us exactly how to bear fruit:
* "Hear the word in a spirit of openness" (Lk 8:15). To hear the word, we must eliminate any background noise. We must cultivate a spirit of openness. Just like a farmer turns over the ground by plowing it, so we turn our lives upside down - make any changes necessary - so the seed of God's word can sink deep into our hearts.
* "Retain it" (Lk 8:15). A gardener retains the seed in the soil by burying the seed with a covering of dirt. In this way, the wind can't blow it away, and birds can't eat it. Likewise, we hide the word in our hearts (Ps 119:11, RSV-CE), treasuring it, and refusing to let it go. We meditate on it always (Ps 1:2), and make it part of our very being.
* "Bear fruit through perseverance" (Lk 8:15). We do not bear the fruit; God's word does that. However, we must persevere in cooperating with the Holy Spirit in dispensing His word (Mt 24:45), teaching it, and overcoming our tendencies to slack off from sharing His word.

Let's work hard to be rich ground for Jesus. "If we do not relax our efforts, in due time we shall reap our harvest" (Gal 6:9).

Prayer: Father, may I act in a manner appropriate for one who has heard the word of Almighty God today.

Promise: "To you the mysteries of the reign of God have been confided." -Lk 8:10

Praise: Mary teaches her students to habitually pray to the Holy Spirit upon opening the Bible to read.

(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 August 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2010

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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