Friday, September 1, 2017
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 10-12, Matthew 25:1-13
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/090117.cfm
THE PURE, UNADULTERATED GOSPEL
"It is God's will that you grow in holiness: that you abstain from immorality, each of you guarding his member in sanctity and honor." -1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
Paul insisted the Thessalonians make still greater progress in sexual purity (1 Thes 4:1). They were to live "in sanctity and honor, not in passionate desire as do the Gentiles who know not God" (1 Thes 4:4-5). "For the Lord is an Avenger of all such things" (1 Thes 4:6). "God has not called us to immorality but to holiness" (1 Thes 4:7).
Have Christians adulterated Christ's standards for sexual purity? Jesus says: "Anyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his thoughts" (Mt 5:28). The Lord commands: "As for lewd conduct or promiscuousness or lust of any sort, let them not even be mentioned among you; your holiness forbids this. Nor should there be any obscene, silly, or suggestive talk; all that is out of place" (Eph 5:3-4).
In a world that talks about "safe sex," considers sex to be recreation, and thinks watching adultery and fornication on the screen is entertainment, Jesus is a "Sign of contradiction" (Lk 2:34, our transl.). He will avenge sexual sin, which He considers a rejection not of man-made laws but of Him (1 Thes 4:8). Be pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3).
Prayer: Father, may our world repent of sexual fantasies, masturbation, birth control, oral sex, "dirty jokes," immodest dress, watching filth on TV, fornication, adultery, homosexual relations, and abortion.
Promise: "Keep your eyes open, for you know not the day or the hour." -Mt 25:13
Praise: Tom, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, always smiled in his love for the Lord.
(For a related teaching, order our tape "Sex, Speech, and the Risen Life" on audio AV 4B-3 or video V-4B.)
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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 August 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 27, 2017
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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