Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 06-30-05, Opt. First Holy Martyrs of the Church of Rome

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 06-30-05 | New American Bible

[annalex]

Christ Our Lord Raising The Paralytic

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Thursday, June 30, 2005 Meditation Matthew 9:1-8 Matthew tells us that when Jesus healed the paralytic, the crowd “glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings” (Matthew 9:8). While witnessing a miracle was amazing in its own right, the people were equally amazed at the authority and dignity that Jesus manifested. They were amazed, in other words, at the sight of a man so filled with God that sickness and sin submitted to him. Jesus’ authority when he walked the earth shows us that God has tremendous plans for all his children. Ever since he created our first parents and gave them authority over all other living things, our Father destined us to walk with the same dignity that Jesus knew. Not even our sin changed God’s intention. He sent his Son not only to forgive us but also to restore to us our rightful inheritance as his children. How do we recapture this sense of dignity and honor? By giving our whole hearts to God in trust and obedience. Remember how Abraham waited many long years to receive his son, Isaac? In spite of the fact that Isaac was so precious to him, Abraham held nothing back from God, and was even willing to sacrifice his son to him. Because of Abraham’s trust and submission, God made his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and declared that they would have authority over every enemy (Genesis 22:17). God wants us to walk in freedom and dignity. We are baptized into Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in us. As we give our whole lives to Jesus, the floodgates of heaven will open to us. He will give us wisdom in our daily decisions and power to love others. Let’s not allow the devil to convince us that God doesn’t love us or has removed his promises and blessings from us. Nothing can be further from the truth! Let’s not be afraid to pray for healing, for ourselves or for other people. Let’s take up our God-given authority and ask him to fill us with the dignity that is rightfully ours—the dignity of sons and daughters of God. “Jesus, I give you my whole life. I welcome your blessings, your teaching, and your authority over me. As I submit to you, let me know the honor and dignity that you give to all of your people. Jesus, make me like you.” Genesis 22:1-19; Psalm 115:1-6,8-9

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Thursday, June 30, 2005 >>

First Martyrs of Rome

Genesis 22:1-19

Psalm 115

Matthew 9:1-8

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“MY PRECIOUS”

“I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from Me your own beloved son.” —Genesis 22:12

Abraham was willing to give up his son for God, Who sent His Son for us. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).

Would you give up your son, life, family, and self for God? The psalmist proclaims: “Your kindness is a greater good than life” (Ps 63:4), and “I had rather one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked” (Ps 84:11). The song goes: “Lord, You are more precious than silver; Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with You.”

Is Jesus’ Kingdom the precious pearl for which we sell all that we have? (Mt 13:46) Could we truthfully say: “I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ”? (Phil 3:8)

Is Jesus your renown, praise, and beauty? (Jer 13:11) You’re His pride and joy. He loves you, even to dying on the cross for you. Is He all you’re living for? “For, to me, ‘life’ means Christ” (Phil 1:21).

Prayer: “Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All!” I give my life to You. You gave Your life for me.

Promise: “When Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic, ‘Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.’ ” —Mt 9:2

Praise: The first martyrs of Rome were burned alive and devoured by wild beasts in the arena. Their blood shed for Jesus has borne great fruit by preparing Rome to be the home of the Catholic Church.