Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Acts 7:51-8:1, Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21, John 6:30-35
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050614.cfm
TRUTH-LOVE
"Those who listened to his words were stung to the heart." -Acts 7:54
St. Stephen was an in-your-face, confrontational preacher. He called his Jewish listeners "stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears" (Acts 7:51). Stephen challenged the people by accusing them and even their fathers of always resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). He called them "betrayers and murderers" (Acts 7:52). It's no wonder that Stephen became the first martyr.
Stephen was not only confrontational but also forgiving. Like Jesus, he loved and forgave those who murdered him. He prayed: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60).
To love like Jesus, we need to love people enough to challenge them to repentance. Yet we should never challenge them without love. Christians specialize in "tough love" - not in being tough, and not in the fake love of permissiveness, but in love based on the toughness of truth.
Do and speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). Love even though it hurts. Be like Jesus, Who loves us so much that He confronts us in the Incarnation and the Crucifixion.
Prayer: Risen Jesus, You are the Truth (Jn 14:6) and You are Love (1 Jn 4:16). Give me truth-love.
Promise: "I Myself am the Bread of Life. No one who comes to Me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in Me shall ever thirst." -Jn 6:35
Praise: Father Ron has a marvelous sense of humor, and he uses that gift openly to attract people to the love and warmth of Jesus.
(For related teaching, order our booklet, The Truth Will Set You Free".)
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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 April 1, 2014 through May 31, 2014
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 30, 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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