Friday, July 27, 2018
Jeremiah 3:14-17, Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 13:18-23
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072718.cfm
CONQUER YOUR ENEMIES
"Mark well, then, the parable of the sower." -Matthew 13:18
God's Word is fruitful, powerful, life-changing, and earthshaking. Therefore, our enemy, the devil, tries to prevent us from ever hearing it or at least from taking it to heart (see Mt 13:19). A second enemy opposing our living of God's Word is our lack of depth or roots (see Mt 13:21). When our relationship with the Lord is shallow, why would we suffer to obey His Word? Our third enemy against living God's Word is "worldly anxiety" (Mt 13:22). When we are worried about what we are to eat, drink, wear, do, think, feel, or spend (see Mt 6:31), we are so preoccupied that we become perpetual, spiritual procrastinators.
Our fourth enemy is "the lure of money" (Mt 13:22). "The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Tm 6:10). Materialism is one of the most toxic and addictive of all substances. If we love the world and the things that it affords, God the Father's love has no place in us (1 Jn 2:15). Our fifth enemy is the fear of man instead of the fear of the Lord. When we worry about being politically correct instead of speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15), we put God into a lower place and risk the sin of idolatry.
In Christ, in love for Him and obedience to Him, we have victory over all these enemies of God's Word. Conquer your enemies.
Prayer: Father, make Your Word extremely fruitful in my life.
Promise: "I will appoint over you shepherds after My own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently." -Jer 3:15
Praise: By prayer and fasting, Patrick drew his brother back to the Church.
(For a related teaching on "Spiritual Warfare", order, view or download our leaflet or order, listen to or download our CD 57-3 or DVD 57 on our website.)
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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 June 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 27, 2018
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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