CHURCH, SACRIFICE, AND PASSOVER - One Bread, One Body, 9/20/2011

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Drought Plagues Horn Of Africa
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Rain Is Only Part Of The Solution
In Defense of Life: Hard Cases
Christians Called To Evangelize
Prison To Praise: The Angel's Mission
Christian Business Leaders Need To Be Daring

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011, Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon,, Paul Chong Hasang,, & the Korean Martyrs

Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20, Psalm 122:1-5, Luke 8:19-21
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092011.cfm

CHURCH, SACRIFICE, AND PASSOVER

"They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel." -Ezra 6:14

For the work on the house of God to be completed, we must build the building, make the sacrifices, and celebrate the Passover (Ezr 6:14, 17, 19). We have usually been successful in physically building the building. We have met in homes, built parish churches, and even erected cathedrals.

We made many sacrifices to build these buildings. However, the Lord calls us to intensify our sacrifices. To build the Church spiritually, we must sacrifice not only our money and time, but also our very lives in imitation of Jesus, the Head of the Church (see Eph 5:25).

We also need to celebrate the Passover, the ultimate event of liberation. We can be freed from sin, the fear of death, selfishness, addictions, unforgiveness, self-hatred, and confusion. Then, we are free for worship, evangelization, discipleship, and ministry. Then and only then do we truly build the Church "as an edifice of spirit, into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pt 2:5). The Passover empowers us to build the Church truly and spiritually.

Celebrate the new Passover (see Lk 22:15), the Mass. Build the Church.

Prayer: Father, may each Mass be a sacrifice and a Passover for me.

Promise: "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and act upon it." -Lk 8:21

Praise: The Korean Martyrs were mostly lay people: fathers, mothers and children, who gave up their lives for love of Jesus.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "Celebrating Mass in the Power of the Spirit", or our tapes on "Every Mass Should be Spirit-filled" on audio AV 49-1 or video V-49.)

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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, 2011 through September 30, 2011
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 1, 2011

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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