LET GO AND LET GOD - One Bread, One Body, 10/27/2010

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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Ephesians 6:1-9, Psalm 145:10-14, Luke 13:22-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/102710.shtml

LET GO AND LET GOD

"Try to come in through the narrow door. Many, I tell you, will try to enter and be unable." -Luke 13:24

People discovered an ingenious method of capturing wild monkeys. They construct wire cages with openings just wide enough for the monkey to insert his hand. A shiny trinket is placed into the cage to attract the monkey. The monkey reaches into the cage and grabs the trinket in his fist. However, his clenched fist is too big to pull back through the wire opening. At that moment, the monkey stands in freedom outside the cage, but his fist is trapped inside the cage. The monkey doesn't realize that he must unclench his fist, let go of what he wants, and thereby be able to withdraw his hand and regain his freedom. He only knows that he wants his trinket, and he also wants his freedom, without realizing that he can't have both. Thus the monkey keeps straining to pull out both fist and trinket without success and is easily captured.

Are we like these monkeys? Do we keep trying to find a way to hang onto possessions, money, fears, compulsions, status, pleasures, past wounds, dreams, and many other things? Jesus tells us that we must renounce everything (Lk 14:33). We can't have both God and the things of the world (Mt 6:24; 1 Jn 2:15-17). If we try to have both, we'll be like the monkey and end up with neither.

Open wide your hands and place them in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus. Let go and let God make you able to squeeze through the narrow door into His everlasting kingdom (Lk 13:24).

Prayer: Father, help me live the "little way" like St. Therese.

Promise: "Each one, whether slave or free, will be repaid by the Lord for whatever good he does." -Eph 6:8

Praise: Mary prays long and hard when she realizes she is holding onto something too tightly.

(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 October 1, 2010 through November 30, 2010
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 6, 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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