2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5, Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15, Luke 20:27-38
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/110710.shtml
THE RESURRECTION-WAR
"The King of the world will raise us up to live again forever." -2 Maccabees 7:9
To be saved, we must not only believe in the resurrection, but believe in our hearts "that God raised [Jesus] from the dead" (Rm 10:9). To be saved, we must have a deep faith in Jesus' resurrection. Our faith in the resurrection should be so strong that, if necessary, we will suffer torture and death for our faith (see 2 Mc 7:1ff). Our resurrection-faith should be so deep that "death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor 15:54).
However, the devil fights to keep us from having a deep faith in the resurrection. For instance, he undermined the faith of some Corinthians by deceiving them into thinking they would not rise (1 Cor 15:12ff). He upset the faith of some Ephesians with false teaching about the resurrection (2 Tm 2:18). The devil also confused some Thessalonians about the resurrection (see 1 Thes 4:13). Because a deep faith in the resurrection is essential to salvation, we wage a great spiritual war over faith in the resurrection. For example, when Paul mentioned the resurrection during one of his trials, a riot broke out in the courtroom (Acts 23:6-10).
Will you win the war over faith in the resurrection? Will you have the deep faith in the resurrection necessary for salvation? Protect yourself from the subtle influence of secular humanism which undermines our faith. Read, pray, and live God's word, by which we grow in faith (see Rm 10:17). Confess with your lips and in your life that Jesus is Lord (Rm 10:9). Then you will have deep resurrection-faith.
Prayer: Father, give me the wisdom to strongly oppose the contagion of secular humanism before I lose my faith.
Promise: "Pray...that the word of the Lord may make progress and be hailed by many." -2 Thes 3:1
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who lives and reigns forevermore.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2010 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment