Friday, August 16, 2013, St. Stephen of Hungary
Joshua 24:1-13, Psalm 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24, Matthew 19:3-12
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081613.cfm
SINGLES HITTER?
"Some there are who have freely renounced sex for the sake of God's reign. Let him accept this teaching who can." -Matthew 19:12
The secular culture, which treasures sexual fulfillment as a false god, acts as if something is wrong with a person who is single and chaste. It's as if the single person is not good enough to attract a partner. However, the secular culture has failed to understand the Scriptures and the power of God (Mk 12:24).
The Catholic Church proclaims that those who are single for the Lord are not weak and undesirable; instead, they carry within them "the immeasurable scope of His power" (Eph 1:19). If you are a chaste single person, you have "powers of life and love" (Catechism, 2338). You are "a good soldier of Christ Jesus," fully devoted to Him (see 2 Tm 2:3-4), "busy with the Lord's affairs, concerned with pleasing" Him (1 Cor 7:32).
Armies have elite troops called special forces, composed of soldiers fully available to the commander for immediate deployment. They especially handle the difficult assignments and crucial battles. If you have a lay single vocation or a consecrated religious vocation, you are in God's special forces. You are instantly available to serve Him however He wishes to "deploy" you. Singles for the Lord, your holy, celibate lifestyle shouts to the world that the joy of heaven far outweighs any earthly pleasure. So "serve the Lord with gladness" (Ps 100:2) and by your holiness teach the world that Jesus is Lord!
Prayer: Father, may those who are single for Your sake (Mt 19:12) bear abundant, lasting fruit and be encouraged by all.
Promise: "They fought against you, but I delivered them into your power." -Jos 24:8
Praise: St. Stephen was "fully devoted" to Christ as his kingship over Hungary resulted in the needs of the poor being met.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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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, 2013 through September 30, 2013
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 4, 2013
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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