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July 30, 2014

The crisis of the prophet Jeremiah is also ours. When life is hard, we question about our existence and especially about the love of God. These struggles are inevitable even if we feel we do not deserve them. And when trials come, we complain. I did not fall short of care and attention for my spouse yet, why was I abandoned? Why do I have this special child? The future awaits me but now with my terminal sickness there is nothing but death. Why am I always a failure?

We have read about Job in the Old Testament who was beset with misfortunes one after the other. He lost his wealth. He lost his children and friends. He was shunned by everybody because of his revolting skin disease. Yet, he did not lose faith in God. He believed in God’s goodness. These trials brought him to a personal encounter of who God is. It is not anymore an experience that came from knowledge or lesson learned from parents, but this God became Job’s personal God. In the storms of life we can call out to the Lord like Peter: “Lord, if it is you, call me.” The Lord is not far,he will stretch out his hand to raise us up because he never confounds those who invoke his name.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 4

<< Wednesday, July 30, 2014 >>

St. Peter Chrysologus

Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
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Psalm 59:2-4, 10-11, 17-18

Matthew 13:44-46
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THE BEGINNING, MIDDLE, AND END OF GOD'S WORD

"When I found Your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart." —Jeremiah 15:16

Many of you reading One Bread, One Body have found God's Word to be the joy and happiness of your hearts. Your initial experience of God's Word has been sweet (see Rv 10:10; Ez 3:3).

Later, you will find that God's Word is not only sweeter than honey (Ps 119:103) but also sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). Many people will hate you because the Lord has given you His Word (Jn 17:14). You will feel alone and abandoned (Jer 15:17). You will be in continuous pain and seem incurably wounded (Jer 15:18). You will be tempted to turn away from the Lord and His Word. You may even fall into this temptation and actually turn away from the Lord. However, the Lord promises: "If you repent, so that I restore you, in My presence you shall stand; if you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be My mouthpiece" (Jer 15:19).

In the end, if you keep living and proclaiming God's Word, the Lord "will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent" (Jer 15:21). You will have victory through God's Word. "In all this we are more than conquerors because of Him Who has loved us" (Rm 8:37).

Live, love, and share God's Word in joy, suffering, and victory.

Prayer: Father, may I be willing to die for You, Your truth, and Your love (see Sir 4:28).

Promise: "When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it." —Mt 13:46

Praise: St. Peter taught: "Christ's birth was not necessity, but an expression of omnipotence, a sacrament of piety for the redemption of man."