SKY-DIVING - One Bread, One Body, 02/17/2023

Friday, February 17, 2023 , Seven Founders of the
Order of Servites

Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm 33:10-15
Mark 8:34—9:1

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SKY-DIVING
"It was from that place that He scattered them all over the earth." —Genesis 11:9

We are divided, fragmented, even shattered. Even our divisions are divided and sub-divided. Our different languages, nationalities, and denominations have cut the human race and even the body of Christ into hundreds of thousands of pieces.

Pride is the cause of our divisions and divisiveness. Like the builders of the tower of Babel, we want to make a name for ourselves and make monuments to ourselves reaching high into the sky (see Gn 11:4). We want to be better, superior to others, to stand apart, that is, be divided (see Lk 18:9ff).

Jesus contradicts human pride. He made a name for Himself by dying on Calvary, and His monument in the sky was a cross. By the blood flowing from His crucified body, Jesus reconciles us and makes the two of us one (Col 1:20; Eph 2:14). As we deny ourselves and take up the cross (Mk 8:34), we possess “the one love, united in spirit and ideals” (Phil 2:2). In Jesus, we “never act out of rivalry or conceit” (Phil 2:3). “Let all parties think humbly of others as superior to themselves, each of you looking to others’ interests rather than to his own. Your attitude must be that of Christ” (Phil 2:3-5).

Prayer: Father, may I die to self to bring about unity within the Church (see Jn 11:51-52).

Promise: "Whoever would preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will preserve it." —Mk 8:35

Praise: The Seven Founders of the Order of Servites stepped out in faith by forsaking their prosperity to lead a life of prayer and penance.

(Lent is approaching. To help you observe Lent more deeply, view, download or order our booklet Scriptural Stations of the Cross and our leaflet A Prophetic Lent 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 the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 15, 2022"

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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