1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
Luke 6:39-42
View Readings
"WE ARE NOT WORTHY"
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who has strengthened me, that He has made me His servant and judged me faithful." —1 Timothy 1:12
It has now been nearly nineteen years since Fr. Al Lauer, the long-time author of One Bread, One Body, passed away. When the task of continuing this ministry fell to me, I was filled with an acute awareness of my own unworthiness. Nonetheless, when the Lord calls someone to a ministry or task, He provides special “graces of state that accompany the exercise of the responsibilities of the Christian life and of the ministries within the Church” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2004). Our unworthiness is no excuse to avoid serving Him, for His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9).
No one is worthy to serve Almighty God. Yet He Who calls us to serve Him has judged us worthy (1 Tm 1:12). So, if God is for us, no one can be against us (Rm 8:31). We cannot be against ourselves either. We can no longer use the excuse that we are too weak, sinful, or limited to serve Him. Such a claim insults the power of God’s grace and His ability to choose His servants. In His unique wisdom, God delights in calling those who are seemingly unqualified (1 Cor 1:26ff) and “of no standing” (Acts 4:13).
Servants of God, focus not on yourselves but on Jesus (Heb 3:1). “Whatever you do” for Him, “work at it with your whole being” (Col 3:23). “Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit; He Whom you serve is the Lord” (Rm 12:11).
Prayer: Father, You choose me to be Your servant! (Jn 15:16) I give You my life. May I bear much fruit for You.
Promise: "You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in Your presence, the delights at Your right hand forever." —Ps 16:11
Praise: Praise Jesus for working through Presentation Ministries to reach the world with the good news.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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 the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 12, 2021"
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