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Friday, January 7, 2022

THE WORLD WAR - One Bread, One Body, 01/07/2022

Friday, January 7, 2022, St. Raymond of Peñafort

1 John 5:5-13
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
Luke 5:12-16
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THE WORLD WAR
"Who, then, is conqueror of the world?" —1 John 5:5

During the Christmas season, it becomes even more obvious that there is a battle between Christians and the world. The world is focused on selfishness, pleasure-seeking, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16, RSV-CE). Christians focus on Christ, the Father’s will, the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit, and humility. Consequently, the world hates Jesus’ disciples as it hates Him (Jn 15:18). Through the Holy Spirit, we Christians have proven the world wrong about sin, justice, and condemnation (Jn 16:8). Through the cross, we have been crucified to the world, and the world to us (Gal 6:14). Therefore, the world hates us. We are going to conquer the world through faith in Jesus as the Son of God (1 Jn 5:5) or be conquered by the world.

We are either “enemies of the cross” or enemies of the world (Phil 3:18; Jas 4:4). The world has already been defeated by Jesus, and it will soon pass away as Jesus returns in glory (1 Jn 2:17). However, we are in “a great war of ignorance” (Wis 14:22), “a great contest of suffering” (Heb 10:32), and “the great period of trial” (Rv 7:14) in which the defeated, departing world tries to deceive us into aligning ourselves with it and into being branded with the mark of the beast (see Rv 13:16-17).

Let us give our lives to Jesus, persevere in serving Him and His Church, and conquer the world. Let us be more than conquerors (Rm 8:37). Reject the world, the flesh, and the devil. Choose Jesus.



Prayer: Father, I will not walk by sight but walk and conquer by faith (2 Cor 5:7).

Promise: "He often retired to deserted places and prayed." —Lk 5:16

Praise: St. Raymond studied Arabic and the Koran to dialogue with Muslims. He utilized this knowledge in authoring the Order for the Redemption of Captives (to redeem Christian prisoners).



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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 the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 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.

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