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Sunday, February 12, 2012

AN EPIDEMIC OF LEPROSY - One Bread, One Body, 2/12/2012

The latest issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles include:

Youth Can Offer New Hope To World
Faith Is A Safe Anchor For The Sick And Suffering
In Defense of Life: The Beginning Of The End Of Religious Freedom
Prison To Praise: "I Am A Christian And A Criminal"

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Sunday, February 12, 2012, 6th Sunday Ordinary Time

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46, 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1, Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11, Mark 1:40-45
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021212.cfm

AN EPIDEMIC OF LEPROSY

"A leper approached Him with a request." -Mark 1:40

Our society and churches are filled with lepers. These people don't have physical leprosy, which is Hanson's disease, but the spiritual leprosy of self-hatred. They continually "cry out 'Unclean, Unclean!' " (Lv 13:45) They do things to turn people away from them. They even tell God to stay away from them. They wallow in depression and degrade themselves through self-destructive compulsions such as overeating, alcoholism, gambling, TV addiction, sexual promiscuity, masturbation, gossip, etc.

Only one Person can cure leprosy - Jesus. In our leprous condition, we must kneel down and make an act of faith in Jesus, saying: "If You will do so, You can cure" us (Mk 1:40). He will have mercy on us, stretch out His hand, touch us, and say: "I do will it. Be cured" (Mk 1:41). Then we will be freed from years of self-hatred and self-destruction. We will no longer be degraded by the tyranny of doing what feels good. We will be truly free and fully alive.

Then we should tell the good news of our healing to whomever the Lord leads us. These people may also be lepers. They may have been discouraged by the lepers in their family and church. By sharing our healing, we will open them to Jesus. They will no longer tell Jesus to stay away from them, but will let Him touch them.

Prayer: Father, may I repent of self-hatred and let Jesus touch me in Confession.

Promise: "Whether you eat or drink - whatever you do - you should do all for the glory of God." -1 Cor 10:31

Praise: Praise Jesus, the Spotless Lamb, Who by His blood has washed us clean.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "The Truth Will Set You Free".)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from February 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 2011

The rescript 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 ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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Saturday, February 11, 2012

THE WAR OF WORSHIPS - One Bread, One Body, 2/11/2012

The latest issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles include:

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Saturday, February 11, 2012, Our Lady of Lourdes

1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34, Psalm 106:6-7, 19-22, Mark 8:1-10
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021112.cfm

THE WAR OF WORSHIPS

"If now this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, the hearts of this people will return to their master." -1 Kings 12:27

The Lord wants our hearts to be entirely with Him (see 1 Kgs 11:4). The devil wants our hearts to be only partially with God. This will then prevent us from loving God with all our hearts (Mt 22:37) and being saved.

The Lord tries to win our hearts by giving us the grace to treasure worshipping Him. Where our treasure is, there will our hearts be (Lk 12:34). If we treasure worshipping Him, then where our worship is, there will our hearts be.

On the other hand, the devil, like Jeroboam, tries to turn our hearts away from God by proposing alternative worship sites and services (see 1 Kgs 12:29-32). For example, instead of worshipping at church on Sunday, the devil offers us weekend worship as we party at home, bow-down before the TV, and/or frequent such worship sites as bars, shopping malls, stadiums, or corporate offices. If we put anything ahead of God, we automatically worship that thing, and then our hearts are not entirely with the Lord. Therefore, worship God alone (Ex 20:3).

Prayer: Father, may I obey the first of the Ten Commandments.

Promise: "Those who had eaten numbered about four thousand." -Mk 8:9

Praise: The Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, shrunk the growth in Clara's throat.

(For help in worshiping God alone, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: "Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ", AV 82-1, V-82, "How to Pray the Bible" on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, "How to Read the Bible "on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, "Principles of Bible Interpretation", audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)

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Friday, February 10, 2012

GRAND OPENING - One Bread, One Body, 2/10/2012

Friday, February 10, 2012, St. Scholastica

1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19, Psalm 81:10-15, Mark 7:31-37
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021012.cfm

GRAND OPENING

"Ahijah took off his new cloak, tore it into twelve pieces..." -1 Kings 11:30

Ahijah prophesied that the kingdom of Israel would be torn into twelve pieces. Is your life torn to shreds, ripped in pieces, tattered, or frayed? If you used a coat to symbolize your life, in what condition would the coat be?

Are you spiritually deaf with a speech impediment as was the man in today's Gospel reading? (Mk 7:32) Is your physical condition representative of your spiritual condition?

If your life is torn to shreds, if you're in bad shape, come to Jesus. He will simply command you: " 'Ephphatha!' (that is, 'Be opened!')" (Mk 7:34) The Lord has already provided for our salvation, healing, deliverance, power, and peace by His death and Resurrection. He loves us infinitely. He cannot love us more. We are perfectly loved, and we would know and experience this (Eph 3:18-19), if we were only open.

Be opened to repentance, to giving and receiving forgiveness. Be opened to God's grace, His callings, and eternal life. Jesus' side was opened (Jn 19:34). Jesus' heart is open. The gates of heaven are open. Be opened!

Prayer: Father, may I open my heart (2 Cor 6:13) to the calling I have most resisted in my life.

Promise: "He has done everything well! He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!" -Mk 7:37

Praise: St. Scholastica had complete trust in God's love. She saw Him answer her heartfelt prayer in an amazing way, as God allowed her to spend an unplanned evening with her brother the night before he died.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Pray for Revival" on audio AV 56-1 or video V-56.)

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

AN "IDOL" MIND IS THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP - One Bread, One Body, 2/9/2012

Thursday, February 9, 2012

1 Kings 11:4-13, Psalm 106:3-4, 35-37, 40, Mark 7:24-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020912.cfm

AN "IDOL" MIND IS THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP

"They served their idols, which became a snare for them." -Psalm 106:36

Solomon, the wisest man in the world, became such a fool as to set the stage for a civil war and the massive deterioration of God's people. Solomon's downfall was the sin of idolatry. He adored false gods, such as Astarte, Milcom, Chemosh, and Molech (1 Kgs 11:5-7).

Many people aren't too upset to hear about idolatry. They may realize they have committed many sins, but they don't see themselves as having done that one. They've never bowed down to grotesque images or burned incense in weird cults. However, we don't have to act like that to commit the sin of idolatry. By merely presuming we can disobey God and get away with it, we can commit the sin of idolatry (1 Sm 15:23). Putting anything ahead of God and thereby not giving our hearts entirely to Him is idolatry (1 Kgs 11:4). For example, the sin of giving in to greed can be in effect idolatry (Eph 5:5). Therefore, idolatry is a sin often committed. Idolatry can even be a way of life, "for the worship of infamous idols is the reason and source and extremity of all evil" (Wis 14:27).

"Do not deceive yourselves: no fornicators, idolators, or adulterers, no sodomites, thieves, misers, or drunkards, no slanderers or robbers will inherit God's kingdom" (1 Cor 6:9-10, our emphasis). Love the Lord with all your heart and repent of idolatry. "My little children, be on your guard against idols" (1 Jn 5:21).

Prayer: Lord, You are God alone. I worship You alone.

Promise: "When she got home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone." -Mk 7:30

Praise: Repenting of putting money before God, Larry learned of His Father's providential love.

(For a related teaching, order our tape on "Following the World (Spiritual Adultery) "on audio AV 53-1 or video V-53.)

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

SUCCESS IS SPELLED C-R-O-S-S - One Bread, One Body, 2/8/2012

Wednesday, February 8, 2012, St. Jerome Emiliani, St. Josephine Bakhita

1 Kings 10:1-10, Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40, Mark 7:14-23
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020812.cfm

SUCCESS IS SPELLED C-R-O-S-S

"Blessed be the Lord, your God, Whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel." -1 Kings 10:9

Solomon was the wisest person who had ever lived or will ever live (1 Kgs 3:12). He was amazingly rich and lived in such majesty as to leave even the sophisticated queen of Sheba breathless (1 Kgs 10:5).

The Lord made Solomon so awesome to confirm His promise that the Davidic dynasty would last forever (2 Sm 7:16) and bring forth the Messiah (1 Sm 16:1; Mi 5:1). The success of David, Solomon, and their descendants was seen as proof they were God's chosen ones.

Today, many people think prosperity indicates God's approval of their life. However, the "prosperity gospel" is only true if we look at prosperity in the long run, and if we define it by Biblical standards. For instance, Jesus was the ultimate Chosen One, yet He appeared a failure. He underwent adversity rather than prosperity for much of His life. Nevertheless, after His crucifixion, when He rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father, He was certainly more than prosperous (see Is 52:13; 53:12).

Success or prosperity, by Biblical standards, is centered on the wisdom, power (1 Cor 1:24), and glory of the cross (see Gal 6:14). God's chosen ones are chosen for the glory of the resurrection only because they are chosen for the apparent failure of the cross.

Prayer: Father, may I boast of nothing but the cross of Jesus (Gal 6:14).

Promise: "Commit to the Lord your way; trust in Him, and He will act." -Ps 37:5

Praise: St. Jerome Emiliani, who learned prayer while chained in a dungeon, was the first to teach children the faith using questions and answers. Surely Jerome had many questions that God answered during his imprisonment.

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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

JESUS, THE ULTIMATE TRADITIONALIST - One Bread, One Body, 2/7/2012

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30, Psalm 84:3-5, 10-11, Mark 7:1-13
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020712.cfm

JESUS, THE ULTIMATE TRADITIONALIST

"For example, Moses said..." -Mark 7:10

Christianity is based on divine traditions, that is, the handing on of what the Holy Spirit has revealed to God's people. The Bible itself is written to hand on some divine traditions (see 2 Thes 2:15). Therefore, without respect for tradition, the very basis of Christianity is undermined.

One of the main ways the devil tries to ruin our respect for tradition is by tempting us to place human traditions ahead of divine ones. He hopes we will react to this abuse by trying to throw out tradition instead of throwing out the abuse. Therefore, Jesus was very interested in showing religious leaders that they were disregarding God's commandments, which are divine traditions, and clinging "to what is human tradition" (Mk 7:8). Here Jesus was trying to guard the divine traditions expressed in the Bible from being set aside (Mk 7:9) or nullified (Mk 7:13) by merely human traditions. The devil tries to turn tradition against itself - to use human traditions to destroy divine ones. However, Jesus protects divine tradition from this attack. He is the divine Defender of divine tradition. Jesus is a Traditionalist in the ultimate sense.

Prayer: Father, may I put divine tradition ahead of human tradition, including the tradition to attack tradition.

Promise: "May Your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where You have decreed You shall be honored; may You heed the prayer which I, Your servant, offer in this place." -1 Kgs 8:29

Praise: Cindy teaches her students the beauty of the traditions of the Church and the richness of the faith.

(For a related teaching, order our tape on "What is Tradition?" on audio AV 77-1 or video V-77.)

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Monday, February 6, 2012

TEMPLE TANTRUMS - One Bread, One Body, 2/6/2012

Monday, February 6, 2012, St. Paul Miki, & Companions

1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13, Psalm 132:6-10, Mark 6:53-56
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020612.cfm

TEMPLE TANTRUMS

"Advance, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your majesty." -Psalm 132:8

God was untouchable. Even if you touched the mountain that God was on, you would instantly die (Ex 19:12). God later restrained His glory enough so that people could be in the Temple with Him, although He was still untouchable as He dwelt in a dark cloud (1 Kgs 8:12).

Almost a thousand years after God first became present in the Temple, He did what is still unbelievable for much of the world. The Lord God became a Baby. Now God could be touched, tickled, kissed, caressed, poked, pushed, hit, and crucified. Those who touched God in faith were healed, freed, and transformed (Mk 6:56).

After Jesus ascended into heaven, He remained touchable in His Body, the Church, and especially in the Eucharist. God so emptied Himself that He not only became a human being; He also comes to us under the appearances of bread and wine. Now He is more than touchable; He lives within us. We are now His temple (see 1 Cor 6:19). This is incredible, but true.

Touch and worship the all-holy, all-powerful, infinite God, Who makes His dwelling within you (Jn 6:56; 17:23).

Prayer: Father, may I be a pure temple for You.

Promise: "May Your priests be clothed with justice; let Your faithful ones shout merrily for joy." -Ps 132:9

Praise: As he was being martyred, St. Paul Miki said: "I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain."

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet, "This is My Body", or our audio tapes on "Eucharistic Obedience", on AV 73-1 or our video V-73.)

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