Friday, October 20, 2017, St. Paul of the Cross
Romans 4:1-8, Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11, Luke 12:1-7
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/102017.cfm
KNOW JESUS - NO FEAR
"I say to you who are My friends: Do not be afraid." -Luke 12:4
"You did not receive a spirit of slavery leading you back into fear, but a spirit of adoption" (Rm 8:15). Satan, however, tries to make us lifelong slaves through the fear of death (Heb 2:15). In this battle against fear, we can claim Jesus' victory by accepting the grace to:
* fear the Lord. "He who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope" (Sir 34:14),
* fear going to hell (Lk 12:5),
* have faith in Jesus, Who said to Jairus after his daughter had died: "Do not fear; only believe" (Mk 5:36, our transl), and
* love everyone, even enemies, for "complete love casts out all fear" (1 Jn 4:18, our transl).
Jesus commands us: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and can do no more" (Lk 12:4). He adds: "Fear nothing" (Lk 12:7). In the Scriptures, God commands us 365 times: "Do not fear." Because the Lord always graces us to obey His commands, we constantly have the grace to be free from the fear of man. Jesus says: "Do not live in fear, little flock. It has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom" (Lk 12:32). In Christ, you are fearless.
Prayer: Father, send me the Spirit of courage (see 2 Tm 1:7) to face the fears in my life.
Promise: "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart." -Ps 32:11
Praise: St. Paul of the Cross was a missionary to Italy for fifty years. Particularly devoted to the Passion of Christ, he especially ministered to the sick, the dying, the lapsed, and the sinner needing reconciliation.
(For a related teaching, order our tape, "Fear of the Lord and Evangelization", on audio AV 59-1 or video V-59.)
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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 October 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 12, 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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