We have extra Spanish One Bread, One Body books available to share with your parish or Spanish speaking friends. Please share Jesus with others who can't read English but, who can read Spanish. For these books, please simply call (513) 659-9270 and tell us how many books you want and what name and address you want us to ship them. Or you can email us at informacion@presentationministries.com with this information. Let us know if you want these every printing or just for this one-time request. Thanks for spreading the word of God with your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, December 9, 2014, St. Juan Diego
Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13, Matthew 18:12-14
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120914.cfm
COMFORT ZONE
"Comfort, give comfort to My people, says your God." -Isaiah 40:1
The Lord commanded His heavenly court to give comfort to His people on earth. This "comfort" does not mean feeling good and indulging in "creature comforts," but being freed from slavery to a pleasure-seeking lifestyle (see Is 40:2). God's comfort is not an exterior gratification of the senses but an interior freedom from sin and guilt (Is 40:2).
An angel obeyed God's command to comfort His people by crying out: "Earthquake!" (That is probably what is meant by the reference to filling in the valleys and laying low the mountains in Isaiah 40:4.) A voice screaming "earthquake" does not seem comforting, but it shows that God's idea of comfort is not based on circumstances.
Next, another voice, probably that of an angel, commanded Isaiah to cry out. Isaiah was understandably at a loss for what to say. He was told to cry out that "all mankind is grass" (Is 40:6). What a comforting thought! Obviously, God's comfort is not based on human power.
Finally, Jerusalem is told to climb a high mountain and cry out at the top of her voice: "Here is your God!" (Is 40:9) Comfort isn't a feeling, pleasure, circumstance, or human accomplishment. No matter what the circumstances, true comfort is being in the Lord's presence and in a committed relationship with Him.
Prayer: Father, give me Your kind of Christmas comfort.
Promise: "It is no part of your heavenly Father's plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief." -Mt 18:14
Praise: St. Juan Diego's humble obedience conquered the New World more than all the conquistadors combined.
(For a related teaching, order our tape Come to Me, You Who are Labored" on audio AV 80-1 or video V-80.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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, 2014 through January 31, 2015
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 30, 2014
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 © 2014 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