"Fight Indifference in Lent" is the title of the latest issue of Pope Francis, Shepherd of Truth.
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Pope Francis, Shepherd of Truth is designed as a bulletin insert which you can use at your local church to keep up to date on what the Holy Father is saying. You are free to reproduce it for this purpose.
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Monday, March 9, 2015, St. Frances of Rome
2 Kings 5:1-15, Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4, Luke 4:24-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030915.cfm
THE LOW-DOWN ON SERVING
"He turned about in anger and left. But his servants came up and reasoned with him." -2 Kings 5:12-13
Proud Naaman was surrounded by humble servants. His wife's servant girl, a young Israelite whose country Naaman had raided, swallowed any national pride she may have held and pointed Naaman to the source of healing. At the house of the prophet Elisha, Naaman's humble "servants came up and reasoned with him," leading him to healing in the Jordan's waters. Such humility was not an automatic response for a servant, as Elisha's servant Gehazi tragically proved shortly after Naaman's healing (see 2 Kgs 5:20ff). Naaman's servants had more to do with Naaman's healing than did Naaman.
When Jesus preached at Nazareth, He specifically called attention to the humble servants in Naaman's party. Where were the humble servants in the synagogue at Nazareth? Apparently, there weren't any. "The whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation" (Lk 4:28). No one served this proud congregation by humbly swallowing their pride, reasoning with the leaders of the synagogue rebellion, and leading them to the healing that Jesus wanted to give (see Lk 4:18; Mk 6:5).
Who will serve by taking the low places? (see Lk 14:10) If no one takes the lowly servant positions, then Jesus gets kicked out of families, workplaces, churches, and towns. Get behind in the world! Serve!
Prayer: Father, close my heart to pride and open my eyes to Your opportunities.
Promise: "There is no God in all the earth, except in Israel." -2 Kgs 5:15
Praise: St. Frances and her sister-in-law shared a fruitful relationship in Christ. They met regularly for prayer, to care for the sick in a local hospital, and to come to the aid of the poor.
(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 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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