"SEPARATE YOURSELVES" (2 Cor 6:17) - One Bread, One Body, 2/9/2009

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Monday, February 9, 2009

Genesis 1:1-19, Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35, Mark 6:53-56
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/020909.shtml

"SEPARATE YOURSELVES" (2 Cor 6:17)

"God then separated..." —Genesis 1:4

God's original creation involved multiple acts of separation (Gn 1:4, 6,
7, 14, 18). God's separations were "good" (Gn 1:12, 18). God's new
creation in Christ also involves multiple acts of separation. In His new
creation, the Lord separates us from:
* original sin and its loss of intimacy with God through the Sacrament
of Baptism (Gn 3:23; Catechism, 1263),
* our sins through the ministry of Jesus (Mt 1:21),
* those who would lead us away from Him, even if it might be a member
of our own family (Mt 10:35), and
* our illnesses on many occasions (see Mk 6:56).

Following the Lord's lead, we must separate ourselves from:
* sinful environments and lifestyles (2 Cor 6:14ff; Rm 8:13),
* the world, the flesh, and the devil, and
* our attachment to possessions. Jesus clearly stated: "None of you can
be My disciple if he does not renounce all his possessions" (Lk 14:33).

God's new-creation lifestyle and worldly, sinful lifestyles don't mix (Mk
2:21-22). No one can choose both the things of this world and Jesus (Mt
6:24). Sadly, a number of people cannot separate themselves from the
attachments of the world. Instead, they separate themselves from Jesus
(see Mt 19:22). This choice is hell on earth, as hell is the state of
"remaining separated from Him for ever by our own free choice" (Catechism,
1033). Repent of choosing sin, pleasure, and possessions. Choose Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, separate me from anything which might separate me from You
in this life or in eternity.

Promise: "All who touched [Jesus] got well." —Mk 6:56

Praise: David refused a promotion because it would require working
weekends, and so missing Sunday Mass.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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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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