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Thursday, February 17, 2011, Founders of the Servites
Genesis 9:1-13, Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23, Mark 8:27-33
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021711.shtml
BIRTH CONTROL OR SIN CONTROL?
"Be fertile, then, and multiply; abound on earth and subdue it." -Genesis 9:7; see also Genesis 9:1
The first recorded words from God to humanity are: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it" (Gn 1:28). To make sure that humanity got the message, God repeated it two more times (Gn 9:1, 7). Sin then took advantage of humanity's fertility to transmit a fallen nature to every human being. Likewise, when our fertility seems to multiply our problems, many respond with birth control. We reason that less people means less problems for us who already have too many problems. However, the Lord responds to the multiplication of our problems not by shutting down our fertility, but by dealing with our real problem, sin. For example, the Lord tried to deal with our sinfulness through Noah's flood, while continuing to command us to be fertile and multiply.
We don't need birth control, but sin control. We don't even need temporary birth control while we delay dealing with our sins. This is only another excuse to put off repenting. We must repent of our sins now and go to Confession. The only way to control sin is to wash it away in the blood of Jesus. The only way to save our lives is to give our lives totally to the Lord (Mt 16:25). Then our fertility will be used to fill the earth with the Lord's love and life as we make disciples of all the nations (see Mt 28:19). Be fertile and multiply; repent of sins and fill the earth.
Prayer: Father, give many Christian couples the blessing of having large families.
Promise: "You are the Messiah!" -Mk 8:29
Praise: The seven founders of the Servites became saints by patterning themselves after Mary, whose Fruit was Jesus.
(For a related teaching, order our tape on "The Contraception of Society" on audio AV 67-1 or video V-67.)
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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 February 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July27, 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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