Acts 20:28-38
Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36
John 17:11-19
View Readings
"THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT"
"Be on guard, therefore. Do not forget that for three years, night and day, I never ceased warning you individually even to the point of tears." —Acts 20:31
St. Paul warned the Ephesian Christians individually for three years, night and day. He warned them of “savage wolves” from their own number who would distort the truth and lead astray any who follow them (Acts 20:29-30).
Guarding Christians against false teaching is a major emphasis in the New Testament. Jesus warns us against wolves in sheep’s clothing (Mt 7:15) and hireling shepherds who don’t protect the sheep (Jn 10:12-13). Paul told St. Timothy to “stay on in Ephesus in order to warn certain people there against teaching false doctrines” (1 Tm 1:3). He warned Timothy: “The time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but, following their own desires, will surround themselves with teachers who tickle their ears. They will stop listening to the truth and will wander off to fables” (2 Tm 4:3-4).
Using the sword of the Spirit (see Eph 6:17), the Church is to be “the pillar and bulwark of truth” (1 Tm 3:15). In the power of “the Spirit of Truth” (see Jn 16:13), we are “to fight hard for the faith delivered once for all to the saints” (Jude 3). We “must hold fast to the authentic message, so that [we] will be able both to encourage men to follow sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it. There are many irresponsible teachers” (Ti 1:9-10). “Their lustful ways will lure many away. Through them, the true way will be made subject to contempt” (2 Pt 2:2).
Therefore, “guard the rich deposit of faith with the help of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us” (2 Tm 1:14).
Prayer: Father, on this sixth day of the novena to the Holy Spirit, send the Spirit of truth.
Promise: "I consecrate Myself for their sakes now, that they may be consecrated in truth." —Jn 17:19
Praise: Even though he is crippled with a life-long disease, Tom chooses to live his life with a song of praise in his heart.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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 April 1,2021 through May 31, 2021 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 5,2020"
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright ©
To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email
To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..
No comments:
Post a Comment