1 Maccabees 6:1-13
Psalm 9:2-4, 6, 16, 19
Luke 20:27-40
View Readings
Listen to Fr. Al Daily Bread Radio Program
SIN-SEARED
"Now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land." —1 Maccabees 6:13
Antiochus died a miserable death, “seized with excruciating pains in his bowels and sharp internal torment” (2 Mc 9:5). “The body of this impious man swarmed with worms, and while he was still alive in hideous torments, his flesh rotted off, so that the entire army was sickened by the stench of his corruption” (2 Mc 9:9). Scripture comments that Antiochus died in this way because of the atrocities he committed against the chosen people (2 Mc 9:5-6). For example, “women who had had their children circumcised were put to death, in keeping with the decree, with the babies hung from their necks” (1 Mc 1:60). Yet after these brutal mass murders and after defiling the Temple, Antiochus wrote a letter characterizing his reign as mild, kind, and loving (2 Mc 9:26; 1 Mc 6:12).
This shows the human person’s immense capacity for self-deception. A human being can act like a merciless dictator and still consider himself a great humanitarian. Sin blinds us to being blind. We can crucify Jesus and His followers and “claim to be serving God” (Jn 16:2). People can ruthlessly dismember helpless babies in the womb and say they’re preventing child-abuse. To prevent self-deception, shedding innocent blood, and receiving the deadly wages of sin, we must repent and confess our sins now.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for I know not what I'm doing (see Lk 23:34).
Promise: "God is not the God of the dead but of the living. All are alive for Him." —Lk 20:38
Praise: St. Cecilia died a slow, painful martyr's death. Although she couldn't talk due to the pain, she is said to have died giving witness to her faith, holding out three fingers, one for each person of the Blessed Trinity.
(We offer a retreat for men who want to grow in faith and love of the Lord. Our annual Men's Retreat will be held Dec. 5-6. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com to register.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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 October 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 2, 2025"
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