Friday, December 9, 2016, St. Juan Diego
Isaiah 48:17-19, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Matthew 11:16-19
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120916.cfm
"MARY" CHRISTMAS
"I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go." -Isaiah 48:17
To have the Christmas God intends for us, we must simply obey God. Those who are like Mary will have a true Christmas. They hearken to God's commands (Is 48:18) and let Christmas be done unto them according to God's Word (see Lk 1:38).
The key to Christmas is not self-indulgence, but self-surrender in obedience to the Lord. We should not do our own thing but God's thing. We should not try to feel good but please the Lord. If we want to follow Jesus to Christmas, we must deny our very selves, take up the cross each day (Lk 9:23), and obey the Lord.
To prepare for Christ's Christmas coming, we should:
* Repent of any disobedience and go to Confession.
* Ask the Holy Spirit to alert us to opportunities to obey the Lord.
* Pray for the strength to obey.
* Obey.
The Lord has a wonderful Christmas planned for us. It is more than we can ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20). We just have to follow instructions. "Mary" Christmas!
Prayer: Jesus, may I love You as Mary loved You at the first Christmas.
Promise: "Time will prove where wisdom lies." -Mt 11:19
Praise: St. Juan Diego humbly took flowers to his bishop, obeying his mother Mary, and the world was changed. His persistent obedience to Our Lady of Guadalupe led to the conversion of eight million people in the next decade.
(Our Discipleship Program features teachings that equip you to understand the truths and teachings of Christ and the Church. Visit our website and plan to join us this summer in a prayerful, peaceful surrounding.)
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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 December 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 10, 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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