Friday, December 14, 2018, St. John of the Cross
Isaiah 48:17-19, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Matthew 11:16-19
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121418.cfm
PREGNANT FOR CHRISTMAS
"He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season." -Psalm 1:3
The Lord wants to teach us what is good for us. He desires to lead us on the way we should go this Christmas (Is 48:17). If we hearken to His commandments, this Christmas we will be "like a river,...the waves of the sea," and the sand of the seashore (Is 48:18-19). We will be full of life and extremely fruitful. If we obey the Lord, this Christmas we will fulfill in an exceptional way the Lord's first recorded words to the newly created human race: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" (Gn 1:28, RSV-CE).
This Christmas, the Lord may fulfill as never before in our lives His promise: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10, RSV-CE). In our contraceptive, abortifacient culture of death, we will be spiritually pregnant. What better way to enter into the celebration of Christ's birth! "God is not the God of the dead but of the living" (Lk 20:38). This Christmas, "choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to Him. For that will mean life for you" (Dt 30:19-20).
Prayer: Father, use my life to build a civilization of love and life.
Promise: "Happy the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord." -Ps 1:1-2
Praise: St. John of the Cross identified himself with Christ crucified. He and St. Teresa of Avila worked together for years to build up the Carmelite order. Both saints are Doctors of the Church.
(We offer retreats year round. Check our website www.presentationministries.com to see what we have planned, or e-mail us at retreats@presentationministries.com.)
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?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 16, 2018
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