Saturday, January 27, 2018, St. Angela Merici
2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17, Psalm 51:12-17, Mark 4:35-41
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012718.cfm
THE NAKED TRUTH
"You are the man!" -2 Samuel 12:7
From a distance, David saw the beautiful Bathsheba bathing. Instead of looking away, he looked lustfully at her (2 Sm 11:2). This led to adultery, murder, and the death of an innocent child. If David had not repented after being confronted by Nathan (2 Sm 12:7ff), his lustful looks could have resulted in the destruction of the nation.
When Jesus tells us to gouge out our eye rather than look lustfully, He's doing us a favor (Mt 5:28-29). He's sparing us not only the eternal pains of hell, but also terrible destruction in this life. It doesn't seem that serious at first. Is looking at a suggestive scene or a half-clothed woman that bad? God's Word says: "Once passion has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin reaches maturity it begets death" (Jas 1:15). "As for lewd conduct or promiscuousness or lust of any sort, let them not even be mentioned among you; your holiness forbids this" (Eph 5:3). "Make no mistake about this: no fornicator, no unclean or lustful person - in effect an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph 5:5).
"Let no one deceive you with worthless arguments. These are sins that bring God's wrath down on the disobedient; therefore have nothing to do with them" (Eph 5:6-7). "Whoever rejects these instructions rejects not man, but God Who sends His Holy Spirit upon you" (1 Thes 4:8).
Prayer: Jesus, I accept You as Lord of my eyes, feelings, hormones, and sexuality.
Promise: "Who can this be that the wind and the sea obey Him?" -Mk 4:41
Praise: The death of St. Angela's older sister prompted her to pray for her sister's soul and led Angela to consecrate her life to God's service.
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "The Bible on Sex".)
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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, 2017 through January 31, 2018
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 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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