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Faith in Christ

Homily of the Day
September 17th, 2012
Food For Thought

Monday, September 17, 2012 by Food for Thought

FirstReading:1 Cor 11:17-26, 33
Psalm: Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17
Gospel: Lk 7:1-10

The faith of the centurion was great because he recognized the authority of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Sometimes we doubt that God has the power to solve and cure us. We think that, yes sure, Christ can help, but we better put matters into our hands, just in case Jesus does not have the time or complete
solutions to our problems. We doubt the authority of Jesus given by God to him. Sometimes we even think that the battle between good and evil is equally balanced. This is not true because the power of Satan cannot be equal or greater than the power of Christ. The power of Jesus Christ has complete authority over Satan. Satan has no power to tempt you more than what is allowed by the Lord. This is clear in the case of Job.

Therefore let us believe that Jesus has supreme authority over all the powers of this world, including the devil himself. Let us not doubt this. All creatures bow before the Lord to do his bidding and will.
Christ can do the impossible for us. Let us never give up hope nor doubt his great power and authority to help us!

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, September 17, 2012 >>

St. Robert Bellarmine

1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33
View Readings

Psalm 40:7-10, 17

Luke 7:1-10

AMEN!

"Just give the order and my servant will be cured." —Luke 7:7

When you receive Holy Communion, the priest or distributor says: "Body of Christ," and you respond: "Amen." Your "Amen" means:

You believe you are receiving "the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus" (Catechism, 1374).
You ask Jesus to give you an order, a word, for you to obey (Lk 7:7).
You believe in the Lord's healing (see Lk 7:7).
You commit yourself to unity with the members of Christ's body (cf 1 Cor 11:18ff).
You commit yourself to the new covenant in Jesus' blood (1 Cor 11:25).
You "proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes!" (1 Cor 11:26)

Your "Amen" before receiving Communion is a total commitment of your life to the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit.

Therefore, we should receive Jesus in Holy Communion daily or as often as possible. We should prepare for Communion by regular, frequent Confession and by fasting in some conscious way before each Mass. Communion will either be one of the greatest events of our lives and a whole way of life, or Communion will be very harmful to us (1 Cor 11:17). Make all your Communions holy.

Prayer: Father, may this book lead its readers to daily and holy Communions.

Promise: "This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." —1 Cor 11:24

Praise: Although St. Robert was a small, physically unimpressive man who had to preach from the pulpit while standing on a stool, he preached with such power and authority that many converted to Catholicism.