One Bread, One Body
One Bread, One Body
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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 3
| << Saturday, April 5, 2014 >> |
St. Vincent Ferrer
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Jeremiah 11:18-20
View Readings |
Psalm 7:2-3, 9-12 |
John 7:40-53
Similar Reflections |
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JESUS, THE "HOME-MAKER"
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| "Then each went off to his own house." —John 7:53 |
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Zacchaeus encountered Jesus and opened his house to Him. That day, salvation came to his house (Lk 19:9). A royal official encountered Jesus, and Jesus promised to heal his son. "Jesus told him, 'Return home' " (Jn 4:50). His son was healed, and his entire household "became believers" (Jn 4:53). A demon-possessed man met Jesus and was set free. He wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus "told him instead: 'Go home' " (Mk 5:19). The man told his family of the mercy of Jesus and all were amazed (Mk 5:20). For these people, Jesus was a home-maker. The Jewish leaders of Jerusalem also encountered Jesus. They scorned Him, and returned home (Jn 7:53). Sadly, they missed the time of their visitation and lost the path to peace for their homes (Lk 19:42-44). Within forty years, their homes were totally destroyed by the Romans (Lk 19:44). The people of the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida encountered Jesus and saw first-hand His miracles. However, they didn't take Jesus into their lives or their homes. As Jesus prophesied, their homes were also destroyed by the Roman army (Mt 11:20-24). Bring Jesus into your home today. Give Him control of everything that takes place in your home. As Jesus takes charge of home repair, He may find it necessary to rip out some deteriorated or warped areas (see Lk 12:51-53). Yet Jesus is the "Restorer of ruined homesteads" (Is 58:12) and He tears down only to speed up the ultimate purpose of home restoration. Make Jesus the Lord of your home. Then your home will be so strong and united that it will survive even the worst trials (Mt 7:24-25). |
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| Prayer: Father, use my home as a launching pad for the spread of the Gospel. |
| Promise: "A Shield before me is God, Who saves the upright of heart." —Ps 7:11 |
| Praise: St. Vincent's motto was: "Whatever you do, think not of yourself, but of God." |
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Prayer for the Helpless Unborn
Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life.
Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood.
Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image - as well as theirs - made for eternal life.
Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a mother can give.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.