Friday, March 18, 2016, St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 18:2-7, John 10:31-42
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031816.cfm
A ROCKY RELATIONSHIP
"The Jews again reached for rocks to stone Him." -John 10:31
How ironic that the Jews reached out for a rock to throw at Jesus! If they only knew Who was standing before them, they could have reached out for their Rock, Jesus (see 1 Cor 10:4).
These pious Jews were in the Temple area (see Jn 10:23). Presumably they were celebrating the Feast of the Dedication (Jn 10:22), a time of reconsecration and rededication. On this occasion, a faithful Jew would praise God, perhaps addressing Him as "my Rock and my Salvation" (Ps 62:3), my "Rock of refuge" (Ps 18:3).
They sang "soft-rock" praises, but had "hard-rock" hearts (see Ez 36:26). They "scorned their saving Rock" (Dt 32:15). They forgot the Rock Who made them (Dt 32:18) and spoke "haughtily against the Rock" (Ps 75:6), accusing Jesus of blasphemy and condemning Him to death (Jn 10:33).
As we approach Holy Week, let us bring our own rocky hearts before the Lord and ask Him to give us new hearts of love (Ex 36:26). Let us immerse ourselves in God's Word, which shatters our rock-hard hearts (Jer 23:29). Meditate on Jesus' death on the cross, which splits open rock-hard hearts (see Mt 27:52). Build your life on the Rock (Mt 7:24).
Prayer: Father, "my Rock and my Redeemer" (Ps 19:15), pour out Your love in my heart through the Holy Spirit (Rm 5:5). You are "the Rock of my heart and my Portion forever" (Ps 73:26).
Promise: "The Lord is with me, like a mighty Champion." -Jer 20:11
Praise: St. Cyril urged: "Remove all obstacles and stumbling blocks so that you will be able to go straight along the road to eternal life."
(Strengthen your relationship with your Rock by attending our April 15-17 retreat, "The Kingdom of God; The Beatitude Attitude." Visit www.presentationministries.com to register.) (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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, 2016 through March 31, 2016
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 28, 2015
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 © 2016 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