Tuesday, July 5, 2016, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, St. Elizabeth of Portugal
Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13, Psalm 115:3-10, Matthew 9:32-38
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070516.cfm
PLANTING A HURRICANE
"When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind." -Hosea 8:7
The prophet Hosea compares our sins to planting the wind. However, he compares the fruit of our sins to a hurricane! (Hos 8:7) Each sin we commit is like a gust of wind. If the wind is unabated by sincere repentance, the winds gather and escalate to a hurricane or tornado that blows us and our nation further away from Jesus.
Jesus and the Father have sent the wind of the Holy Spirit to blow us back to God (Jn 3:5). When we operate in the Spirit, we sow the wind (see Jn 3:8). As our good works are multiplied, the wind of the Spirit gathers to form a strong, driving wind (Acts 2:2ff). We sow the wind of obedience to God, and we reap the whirlwind of the Spirit (Hos 8:7), far stronger than any tornado. The Spirit wants to use us to blow down Satan's strongholds (2 Cor 10:4). Imagine evil strongholds, like the scourge of illegal drugs, abortion, human greed which perpetuates widespread hunger, etc., being destroyed in a mighty gust. What a joyful day it will be to see Satan's strongholds toppled in a whirlwind!
"Make no mistake about it, no one makes a fool of God! A man will reap only what he sows. If he sows in the field of the flesh, he will reap a harvest of corruption; but if his seed-ground is the Spirit, he will reap everlasting life. Let us not grow weary of doing good; if we do not relax our efforts, in due time we shall reap our harvest" of faith and justice (Gal 6:7-9).
Prayer: "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me."
Promise: "Beg the Harvest Master to send out laborers to gather His harvest." -Mt 9:37-38
Praise: St. Anthony popularized Forty Hours devotions.
(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 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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