2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18
Psalm 128:1-2, 4-5
Matthew 23:27-32
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THE HUMANLY INESCAPABLE TRAP
"Now it is your turn: fill up the vessel measured out by your forefathers." —Matthew 23:32
Jesus faulted the religious leaders of His time for being so concerned about their outside but not their inside. Jesus said: “You present to view a holy exterior while hypocrisy and evil fill you within” (Mt 23:28). This is a perennial, deep-seated problem. For example, many more people go to the beauty parlor than to Confession. Many plan for decades for the few years of their retirement but give much less consideration to the state of their soul and to eternity following retirement. Human beings are naturally trapped in the visible and the superficial.
Jesus also warned the Jewish religious leaders that they were severely self-deceived. They honestly, but mistakenly, thought they would not have murdered the prophets of the past (Mt 23:30ff). We too think we would never have condoned slavery, joined in unjust wars, accepted institutional racism, or silently acquiesced to concentration camps, if we had lived at those times. But the Lord may be saying to us today that we likewise are self-deceived. Self-deception is a trap which can lead to our damnation.
The scribes and the Pharisees are not alone in their sinful loss of contact with reality. All humanity is trapped. Who can save us? Jesus has already saved us (see Ti 3:5). Give your life totally to Him and accept His salvation. Thank and worship Jesus forever. Tell others about the only Savior (see Acts 4:12).
Prayer: Jesus, You are our only Hope and the only Hope we need.
Promise: "May He Who is the Lord of peace give you continued peace in every possible way. The Lord be with you all." —2 Thes 3:16
Praise: Robert turned down promotions to maintain a good family and prayer life.
(For a related teaching on The Culture of Death, order, listen to, or download our CD 73-3 or DVD 73 on our website.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."
"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from August 1, through September 30, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 1, 2019"
The "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") 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 the "Nihil Obstat" agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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