THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS - One Bread, One Body, 2/22/2009

For Lent follow our Bible reading schedule called, "A Prophetic Lent"

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/APropheticLent.asp
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Sunday, February 22, 2009, 7th Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Psalm 41, Mark
2:1-12
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022209.shtml

THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS

"When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, 'My son, your
sins are forgiven.' " —Mark 2:5

There is "more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner" (Lk 15:7). The
fact that the Lord has forgiven our sins is a great cause of joy for every
Christian. The Lord has not only forgiven our sins but also forgotten them
(Is 43:25). He has wiped them out (Is 43:25), removed them as far as the
east is from the west (Ps 103:12), and drowned them in the depths of the
sea (Mi 7:19). All of us would have been damned because of our sins
against the all-holy, all-just God, Who is Love Himself. However, by the
blood and death of Jesus, we have the opportunity to be forgiven. If we
have accepted this opportunity through repentance, Baptism, and
Confession, we have reason to rejoice forever.

The Church has taught throughout the centuries: "When Christ's faithful
strive to confess all the sins that they can remember, they undoubtedly
place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon" (Catechism, 1456).
When we go to Confession, the Lord forgives all our sins even if we have
accidentally forgotten to confess any of them or have not expressed them
well. We are completely forgiven and truly free. We have reason to be full
of joy. Let us "celebrate and rejoice" (Lk 15:32) because we who have been
dead in sin have come back to life. Alleluia!

Prayer: Father, may I joyfully invite others to reconciliation (see 2 Cor
5:18).

Promise: "God is the One Who firmly establishes us along with you in
Christ; it is He Who anointed us and has sealed us, thereby depositing the
first Payment, the Spirit, in our hearts." —2 Cor 1:21-22

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Whose first act after He rose from the
dead was to offer His disciples peace and reconciliation (Jn 20:19, 23).
Praise You, Jesus, "rich in mercy" (Eph 2:4).

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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, 2009 through March 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, August 11, 2008

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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