Monday, December 26, 2016, St. Stephen
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59, Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17, Matthew
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122616.cfm
RUNNING FROM LOVE?
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." -Acts 7:59
On this second day of Christmas, we have ample proof that Christmas has become too commercialized. Many of us have received all kinds of stuff as presents. We may also feel stuffed from over-indulging in food, drink, TV, shopping, working, etc. We may be smothered in debt. Why do so many feel compelled to go so far overboard at Christmas?
There are many answers to this question, but one answer may be that we absorb ourselves with material things at Christmas because we're afraid of finding the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas means God has become man and was born so that we could have a deep, personal relationship with Him. A deep love for the Crucified One results in being persecuted with and for Him. The result of Christmas is to live and die like St. Stephen - martyred or at least suffering redemptively for the Christ of Christmas. Naturally, we shy away and run from true love, love that hurts so much it becomes a sharing in Calvary.
Let us put aside our distractions and allow ourselves to fearfully fall into the hands of the living God, Who is Love Himself (Heb 10:31).
Prayer: Father, I decide to take down the wall of possessions and activities which I have put between me and Your love.
Promise: "You will be hated by all on account of Me. But whoever holds out till the end will escape death." -Mt 10:22
Praise: St. Stephen rejoiced in death which would bring him closer to his Beloved. He was so "filled with faith and the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5) that he was martyred even before the apostles.
(For a related teaching on Developing a Deep Personnal Relationship with Jesus", order, listen to, or download our CD 52-1 or DVD 52 on our website or order our tape on audio AV 52-1 or video V 52.)
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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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