HARD ROCK - One Bread, One Body, 12/1/2011

For Advent listen to Fr. Al Lauer's "Daily Bread" radio program on the Internet. There are rich teachings each day to help you prepare for Christmas. You can listen online, download in MP3 format or subscribe to the podcast.

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Isaiah 26:1-6, Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27, Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120111.cfm

HARD ROCK

"Anyone who hears My words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock." -Matthew 7:24

On this fifth day of Advent, the Church reads to us about "a strong city" (Is 26:1), "a nation of firm purpose" (Is 26:3), and a house "solidly set on rock" (Mt 7:25). God's Word is calling us to be strong, firm, and solid by building our lives on obedience to the Lord, the "eternal Rock" (Is 26:4). If we are totally committed to Jesus and obey His Word, our lives will stand no matter how terrible the circumstances.
At this time of the year, some parts of the world are hit by major winter storms. This is also true spiritually. We may find ourselves in a "great period of trial" (Rv 7:14), "a great contest of suffering" (Heb 10:32), or "the distress of many trials" (1 Pt 1:6). We may understand all too well what Job went through. We may even fill up in our bodies "what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ" (Col 1:24). When the spiritual weather gets this bad, when it gets this stormy and cold, only those confirmed by the Holy Spirit and trusting in Jesus, the "eternal Rock," will stand.

Prayer: Father, as the weather worsens this Advent, lead me to trust You in ways where I have not trusted You before.

Promise: "Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." -Is 26:4

Praise: Jesus used Tony's attraction to Christian music to draw him first to Scripture, and then to daily Mass.

(To have a rocklike faith, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: "Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ", AV 82-1, V-82, "How to Pray the Bible" on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, "How to Read the Bible" on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, "Principles of Bible Interpretation", audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)

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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 December 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 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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