"LIFT HIGH THE CROSS!" - One Bread, One Body, 7/25/2016

Monday, July 25, 2016, St. James

2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126:1-6, Matthew 20:20-28
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072516.cfm

"LIFT HIGH THE CROSS!"

"Death is at work in us, but life in you." -2 Corinthians 4:12

Peter, James, and John were the three major apostles chosen by Jesus. Only they were chosen by Jesus to be present when He raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Mk 5:37), when He was transfigured (Mt 17:1-2), and when He suffered His agony in the garden of Gethsemani (Mt 26:37). Consequently, when James was beheaded (Acts 12:2) and Peter on death row, it seemed that the Church was being quickly destroyed by the systematic extermination of its leaders.

However, the very opposite was true, for in dying we are born to new life, and so is the Church. When we continually "carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus" (2 Cor 4:10) and are "being delivered to death for Jesus' sake," then the life of Jesus is revealed (2 Cor 4:11). In our weakness, God's power reaches perfection (2 Cor 12:9). "It is true He was crucified out of weakness, but He lives by the power of God. We too are weak in Him, but we live with Him by God's power in us" (2 Cor 13:4).

Jesus' death on the cross and our share in His death are our glory, not our shame (see Gal 6:14; Rm 1:16). "The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18). "Indeed, everything is ordered to [our] benefit, so that the grace bestowed in abundance may bring greater glory to God" (2 Cor 4:15). "Lift high the cross!"


Prayer: "We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world" (St. Francis of Assisi).

Promise: "Such is the case with the Son of Man Who has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give His own life as a ransom for the many." -Mt 20:28

Praise: St. James was honored by King Afonso of Kongo, the country's second Christian king.


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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 June 1, 2016 through July 31, 2016
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 20, 2016

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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