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Friday, February 25, 2011

DEEP PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS - One Bread, One Body, 2/25/2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

Sirach 6:5-17, Psalm 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34-35, Mark 10:1-12
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022511.shtml

DEEP PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure." -Sirach 6:14

Committed relationships are the essence of Christianity. The Father "so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (Jn 3:16). Jesus is our Blood-brother, Who sealed His covenant with us by His blood shed on Calvary. The Spirit is committed to us in that He lives within us as His temple (1 Cor 6:19). We respond to God's love by committing ourselves to Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God. Through Jesus we commit ourselves to the Father, and live no longer for ourselves but for Him (2 Cor 5:15).

Then the Lord calls us to covenant with others. Some are called to covenant in the sacrament of marriage. The two "become as one. They are no longer two but one flesh" (Mk 10:8). God joins them together inseparably (Mk 10:9).

All are called to covenant with other Christians. With some, we are called to a special unity. Every Paul has his Barnabas or Silas, every David his Jonathan (2 Sm 1:26). We should be very careful about these special Christian friendships but also open to them. God's word teaches: "Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him" (Sir 6:6-7). But God's word also promises: "A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds" (Sir 6:15-16).

Prayer: Father, may I be a true brother or sister to a Christian from a different race.

Promise: "A kind mouth multiplies friends." -Sir 6:5

Praise: Henry and his family travelled halfway around the world to join Presentation Ministries' community.

(Women, come meet other Christ-centered women at our annual Women's retreat April 9th at our retreat center in Adams County, Ohio. The retreat will address the needs you have and call you to a deeper relationship with the Lord. Call Betty at 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 to register or for information.)

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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, 2011 through March 31, 2011
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July27, 2010

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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Thursday, February 24, 2011

SEASONABLE WEATHER - One Bread, One Body, 2/24/2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Sirach 5:1-8, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Mark 9:41-50
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022411.shtml

SEASONABLE WEATHER

"Rely not on your wealth; say not..." -Sirach 5:1

Jesus, the son of Eleazar and the writer of Sirach (Sir 50:27), told us not to say four things:
* "Say not: 'I have the power' " (Sir 5:1). Except for God's grace, we would never take another step or say another word. Of ourselves, we don't have the power to resist any temptation or to repent.
* "Say not: 'Who can prevail against me?' " (Sir 5:3) Some people think they can dominate people, control the devil, and even manipulate God. They are tragically mistaken.
* "Say not: 'I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?' " (Sir 5:4) God is perfectly just. We will be punished forever for every sin we have ever committed, unless we repent and ask for His mercy made possible by the justifying death of Jesus (see Sir 28:1). The Lord is giving us time now to repent before it is too late.
* "Say not: 'Great is His mercy; my many sins He will forgive' " (Sir 5:6). We should respond to God's great mercy by repenting, not by continuing to sin (see Rm 6:1-2).

We are in the season of mercy now, but we have no idea when the season will change. Jesus said, "We must do the deeds of Him Who sent Me while it is day. The night comes on when no one can work" (Jn 9:4) The season of justice will follow the season of mercy. It begins when Jesus returns, and no one knows the day or the hour (Mt 24:36). Repent - completely, immediately.

Prayer: Father, may I celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation while "it's in season."

Promise: "Keep salt in your hearts and you will be at peace with one another." -Mk 9:50

Praise: A close call on a country road prompted George to stop taking each day for granted, and to fix his eyes on Jesus (Heb 3:1).

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

"SEPARATED BRETHREN" - One Bread, One Body, 2/23/2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011, St. Polycarp

Sirach 4:11-19, Psalm 119:165, 168, 171-172, 174-175, Mark 9:38-40
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022311.shtml

"SEPARATED BRETHREN"

"Jesus said in reply: 'Do not try to stop him. No man who performs a miracle using My name can at the same time speak ill of Me. Anyone who is not against us is with us.' " -Mark 9:39-40

Jesus says all those who use His name and oppose the devil are "with us." This does not mean using Jesus' name in a casual way but being committed to Him as Lord, Savior, and God. No matter how many differences we have with other followers of Jesus, we should not be fighting with each other but together fighting the evil one, for "our battle is not against human forces," especially fellow Christians (Eph 6:12).

Our denominations and petty divisions within denominations are not in accord with God's will. They are a scandal. They play right into the hands of the devil, and assist him in sabotaging the building of God's kingdom.

First and foremost, Christians of all groups and denominations are brothers and sisters in the Lord. If we go to heaven, we will all be together forever. So we ought to start getting along here on earth. Our unity under our one Lord should overshadow our differences.

God's word commands and proclaims: "Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call" (Eph 4:3-4).

Prayer: Jesus, we pray with You that all believers in You will be one as You and the Father are One (Jn 17:21). May we repent of disunity now. Give us the unity of Pentecost.

Promise: "Wisdom instructs her children and admonishes those who seek her." -Sir 4:11

Praise: St. Polycarp advanced God's kingdom by serving as a bishop for many decades, and then paying the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom at age eighty-six.

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

"UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL" - One Bread, One Body, 2/22/2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011, Chair of St. Peter

1 Peter 5:1-4, Psalm 23:1-6, Matthew 16:13-19
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022211.shtml

"UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL"

"I for My part declare to you, you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build My Church." -Matthew 16:18

The Church has the "keys of the kingdom" (Mt 16:19). It can attack the gates of hell which shall not prevail against it (Mt 16:18). Whatever the Church binds on earth is bound in heaven; whatever it looses on earth is loosed in heaven (Mt 16:19). The Church can bring down the strongholds of Satan (2 Cor 10:4) and quickly crush him (Rm 16:20). The Church can lead the world to Christ.

However, we don't see the Church exercising its authority and claiming God's victory. Instead, we see abortion, war, pornography, racism and starvation. The Church is weakened because it is not united. The Church is Christ's body (1 Cor 12:12). Like all bodies, it must be united to function properly.

Therefore, Jesus right now is praying for the Church to be one (Jn 17:21) under His headship (Eph 1:10) and one in the Spirit (Eph 4:3). He has given us the Pope to unite us. Because of our sinfulness, even Christians under Jesus' lordship and alive in the Spirit are often not united. We need a leader who will exercise his God-given authority and lead us to unity. The Pope is called by Jesus to do this. If we obey Him, we will be one and we will be able to win the victories Jesus promised us.

Prayer: Father, may I obey You by obeying the Pope, and thereby help stop abortions, starvation, and war.

Promise: "God's flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd's care." -1 Pt 5:2

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who is with us through the Popes always, even to the end of the age!

(For a related teaching, order our tape "The Pope's Vision of God's Plan "on audio AV 50-3 or video V-50.)

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Monday, February 21, 2011

NO FEAR BUT FEAR OF THE LORD - One Bread, One Body, 2/21/2011

Monday, February 21, 2011, St. Peter Damian

Sirach 1:1-10, Psalm 93:1-2, 5, Mark 9:14-29
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022111.shtml

NO FEAR BUT FEAR OF THE LORD

"Fear of the Lord is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown. Fear of the Lord warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days." -Sirach 1:9-10

One of the most repeated and emphasized statements in the Bible is: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps 111:10; Sir 1:12, 18). The Bible seems preoccupied with the fear of the Lord, not only in the Old Testament but also in the New. "Fullness of wisdom is fear of the Lord" (Sir 1:14). "Wisdom's garland is fear of the Lord" (Sir 1:16). "Fear of the Lord is an abomination to the sinner" (Sir 1:22). "Fear of the Lord is wisdom and culture" (Sir 1:24). These are just a few of the references to fear of the Lord in just one chapter of the Bible.

In contemporary Christianity, we don't emphasize fear of the Lord, although this is one of the gifts we have all received by our confirmation in the Spirit (Is 11:2). The early Church experienced a reverent fear that "overtook them all, for many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles" (Acts 2:43).

However, too many in the Church today seem to avoid such experiences. We seem more interested in feeling "comfortable" than in letting God be God. Because of our self-centered, rather than God-centered, Christianity, we often make a pretense of religion and negate its power (2 Tm 3:5). We buy the world's wisdom and feel miserable because we are not open to the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of true wisdom.

Prayer: Father, may I be so aware of Your presence that I am not intimidated by any person's presence. Give me this gift of the Spirit.

Promise: "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." -Mk 9:29, RSV-CE

Praise: St. Peter so sought God's presence that he gave up the all that is of the world to live in a hermitage.

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Sunday, February 20, 2011

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK - One Bread, One Body, 2/20/2011

Did you know Presentation Ministries has a Bible College called Our Lady of Guadalupe Bible College (GBC)? Home study is available. For more information visit:

http://www.presentationministries.com/gbc/InfoStart.asp

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Sunday, February 20, 2011, 7th Sunday Ordinary Time

Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18, 1 Corinthians 3:16-23, Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13, Matthew 5:38-48
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022011.shtml

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

"But what I say to you is: offer no resistance to injury." -Matthew 5:39

Jesus sounds so naive. Everybody knows we must resist injury. Jesus says that after we've been hit on one cheek, we should turn the other. We'll seemingly get killed if we take His advice. However, the Sermon on the Mount is not "advice"; it is the Lord's command. Nonetheless, we rationalize that Jesus' message in the Sermon on the Mount is poetic, symbolic, anything but literal.

Sometimes Jesus does not speak literally, like when He said to gouge out our eye (Mt 5:29). So we're tempted to assume the Sermon on the Mount, especially this part of it, must not be literal. Yet Jesus did literally turn the other cheek, hand over His garments and walk the extra mile, even up Mount Calvary to be crucified (Mt 5:39-41). If we deny that the Sermon on the Mount is literal, we may be denying that we must imitate the crucified Christ. Jesus is literally calling us to make a U-turn, and live a radically different lifestyle. Following Jesus is not just a modification of a worldly life, but an utterly new way to live.

Will you decide to be a Christian on Jesus' terms - not as other people are, not as you want, but as He wills? Accept the Preacher and the preaching of the Sermon on the Mount.

Prayer: Jesus, it's impossible to be a Christian without Your constant amazing grace. Pour out the Holy Spirit in my life.

Promise: "For the wisdom of this world is absurdity with God." -1 Cor 3:19

Praise: Praise You, Jesus, humble and obedient Son of God. Your acceptance of Your Father's will heralded our freedom. Alleluia!

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Meeting the Risen Christ "on audio AV 4A-1 or video V-4A.)

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

HOW GOD GIVES FAITH - One Bread, One Body, 2/19/2011

Did you know Presentation Ministries has a Bible College called Our Lady of Guadalupe Bible College (GBC)? Home study is available. For more information visit:

http://www.presentationministries.com/gbc/InfoStart.asp

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Hebrews 11:1-7, Psalm 145:2-5, 10-11, Mark 9:2-13
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021911.shtml

HOW GOD GIVES FAITH

"Because of faith the men of old were approved by God." -Hebrews 11:2

"All depends on faith, everything is grace" (Rm 4:16). We are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). "Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One Who sent Him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 161). "Without faith, it is impossible to please" God (Heb 11:6). We are to live "a life of faith in the Son of God, Who loved" us and gave His life for us (Gal 2:20; see also 2 Cor 13:5). We must "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). Those who believe are those who conquer the world (1 Jn 5:5).

"Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see" (Heb 11:1). Faith is the result of a good personal relationship. A good personal relationship is based on good communication. Good communication depends on listening (see Mk 9:7). Thus, "faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rm 10:17, our transl.). The Scriptures are a 2000-page point of reference by which we can discern whether God is behind the events, thoughts, activities, and conversations of our lives. Then, once we let the Bible get us attuned to the Lord, we develop a good relationship with Him and establish that confident assurance in Him that is faith.

Abide in God's word (Jn 15:7). Meditate on it (Ps 1:2) and recite it day and night (Jos 1:8). You will hear the Lord. Then you will grow in a loving relationship with Him and have faith in Him.

Prayer: Father, I believe. Help my lack of faith (see Mk 9:24).

Promise: "A cloud came, overshadowing them, and out of the cloud a voice: 'This is My Son, My Beloved. Listen to Him.' " -Mk 9:7

Praise: Pondering the daily Mass readings has kept Sarah close to Jesus for the last twenty-seven years.

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