Dear Readers, We still have extra hard copies of OBOB. The February-March 2015 edition of One Bread, One Body overlaps with the Lenten season. Feb 18 is Ash Wednesday this year. We have extra hard copies available for the asking! Want to introduce this book to your family, friends, or coworkers? Want to get a box for your church? Place your order using the link below. Please note we ship to USA and Canada only.
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obobSubscribe.asp
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Thursday, February 5, 2015, St. Agatha
Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24, Psalm 48:2-4, 9-11, Mark 6:7-13
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020515.cfm
TALKING BLOOD
"You have drawn near...to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks more eloquently than that of Abel." -Hebrews 12:22, 24
Pope John Paul II has taught: "This blood, which flows from the pierced side of Christ on the Cross (cf Jn 19:34), 'speaks more graciously' than the blood of Abel; indeed, it expresses and requires a more radical 'justice,' and above all it implores mercy, it makes intercession for the brethren before the Father (cf Heb 7:25), and it is the source of perfect redemption and the gift of new life" (The Gospel of Life, 25).
This is a golden age of martyrdom. Pope St. John Paul II wrote: "At the end of the second millennium, the Church has once again become a Church of martyrs. The persecutions of believers...[have] caused a great sowing of martyrdom in different parts of the world. The witness to Christ [is] borne even to the shedding of blood" (Towards the Third Millennium, 37). Like Abel's blood, the blood of the martyrs cries out for justice. "They cried out...: 'How long will it be, O Master, holy and true, before You judge our cause and avenge our blood?' " (Rv 6:10) Like Jesus' blood, the blood of the martyrs cries out for us: "Lord, have mercy!"
Because of the hundreds of millions of surgical and chemical abortions committed each year in the world, we live in oceans of innocent, shed blood (cf 2 Kgs 21:16). The blood of these babies cries out with Jesus' blood for mercy on the people of the culture of death (The Gospel of Life, 25). The blood of Abel, Jesus, martyrs, and babies is crying. By repentance, wash your robes "in the blood of the Lamb," Jesus (Rv 7:14). Receive the mercy of Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, when I receive Your precious Body and Blood in Holy Communion (see Jn 6:53ff), may I receive and give mercy.
Promise: "They expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures." -Mk 6:13
Praise: St. Peter denied Christ three times. St. Agatha, as she was being tortured, was asked three times to deny Christ. She held fast to Jesus each time and received the crown of life (see Rv 2:10).
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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 February 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 25, 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.
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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at
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