Pray the Scriptural Stations of the Cross with us.
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/ScripStat.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, March 17, 2013, Fifth Sunday of Lent
Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, Psalm 126:1-6, John 8:1-11
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031713.cfm
KNOWLEDGE-ABLE
"I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ." -Philippians 3:8
Because of Paul's "surpassing knowledge" of Jesus, he came to rate all as loss. Paul's personal relationship with Jesus changed the "ratings" in his life. Things he used to rate high were reassessed as worthless and empty.
All of us have a "surpassing knowledge." Usually, our knowledge of and attraction to pleasure surpasses all else. For many people, even Christians, food, entertainment, TV programs, money, or lifestyle rate the highest. These surpass everything else.
Eventually, we experience a "surpassing knowledge" of tragedy and/or death. This changes our ratings. In the face of death, we now rate as loss those things for which we formerly lived. We feel so empty and regret that we've wasted our lives. We feel condemned by the vain, stupid, empty priorities of our past life.
However, the surpassing knowledge of tragedy and/or death, which surpassed our preoccupation with pleasure, can itself be surpassed by the personal knowledge of Jesus. When we totally give our lives to Jesus, we no longer stand condemned by the empty priorities of our past (see Rm 8:1). These vanities and regrets all disappear (see Jn 8:10). We give "no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead" (Phil 3:13). Life in Christ is not merely meaningless stimulation but real excitement. Because of our knowledge of Jesus, life is a race, not a drag (see Phil 3:12). Live in the light of the surpassing knowledge of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, "I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from His resurrection; likewise to know how to share in His sufferings by being formed into the pattern of His death" (Phil 3:10).
Promise: "See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" -Is 43:19
Praise: Risen Lord Jesus, praise You for revealing Yourself to us. You are the Light of my life (see Jn 8:12).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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, 2013 through March 31, 2013
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 13, 2012
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 © 2013 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