"SELDOM IS HEARD A DISCOURAGING WORD"? - One Bread, One Body, 8/5/2009

You can always visit our website to read any OBOB teaching (past or
future), find related teachings from past years, search OBOB on any topic,
listen to the Daily Bread radio program and much more.

http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, August 5, 2009, Dedication of St. Mary Major

Numbers 13:1-2, 25—14:1, 26-29, 34-35, Psalm 106:6-7, 13-14, 21-23,
Matthew 15:21-28
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/080509.shtml

"SELDOM IS HEARD A DISCOURAGING WORD"?

"She keeps shouting." —Matthew 15:23

Contrast the Israelite scouts and Israelite people in the first reading to
the Syro-Phoenician Gentile woman in the Gospel. The former did not
believe in God's liberating power, even though they had just seen what God
did to the Egyptians at the Red Sea, even though they had just passed
between walls of water at the Red Sea! "They forgot the God Who had saved
them" (Ps 106:21). "They waited not for His counsel" (Ps 106:13). They did
not remember His great love, which is tantamount to defying God (Ps
106:7).

The Syro-Phoenician woman, in contrast, heard only what must have seemed
like discouraging words from Jesus rather than great promises. She
believed in Jesus anyway, because she had heard of His great works (Jn
14:11). Like the man born blind, she must have intuitively known that no
one could do such healing works if God was not with Him (Jn 9:33). She
knew that what Jesus was saying had to be outweighed by His power, and
that His compassion was evident in His works. So she persevered in
imploring Jesus for her request, believing in Jesus' ultimate power,
refusing to be discouraged by what she saw and heard in the present
moment.

To whom do you listen? We hear many negative, discouraging voices. We must
shut out these voices and make it our priority to listen only to God. Yet,
even when what the Lord says seems discouraging, we must pray without
ceasing and not lose heart (Lk 18:1). "Do not give in to discouragement"
(2 Cor 4:1).

The Lord is looking for faith (Lk 18:8). Will He find faith in You? Have
faith in Jesus (Jn 14:1). Have faith in God (Jn 14:1).

Prayer: Lord, help me (Mt 15:25). "I do believe; help my lack of faith"
(see Mk 9:24).

Promise: "Thus you will realize what it means to oppose Me." —Nm 14:34

Praise: Mary, Mother of Mercy, instructed all disciples: "Do whatever He
[Jesus] tells you" (Jn 2:5).

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
August 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, February 11, 2009

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2009 Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r