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<< Wednesday, April 18, 2012 >>

Psalm 34:2-9

John 3:16-21

TEACHERS' COLLEGE

"Look, there! Those men you put in jail are standing over there in the temple, teaching the people." —Acts 5:25

An angel miraculously freed the apostles from prison and told them to go to the Temple and resume their teaching (Acts 5:20-21). After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent the afternoon and the evening teaching the Bible to His disciples and apostles (Lk 24:27, 45). After the Church was born at Pentecost, the first Christians devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42). "Day after day, both in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news of Jesus the Messiah" (Acts 5:42). The early believers were called Christians for the first time only after Paul taught them "for a whole year" (Acts 11:26). Teaching was a very high priority for the early Church. They even called Jesus "Rabbi," that is, "Teacher" (see Jn 20:16).

We also are called Christians, and we value the teaching of God's word enough to read this Bible-teaching book, One Bread, One Body. Yet do we seek to be taught and to teach God's Word to the degree the Lord wants us to seek these? Do we read "the Book," the Bible, more than we read anything else? Do we try to know the teachings of the Church and the Pope? Are we sufficiently devoting ourselves to the apostles' teaching? (see Acts 2:42)

During this Easter season, devour God's Word (Jer 15:16). Bathe in it (Eph 5:26). Abide in it (Jn 8:31). Love it.

Prayer: Father, may Your Word be more precious to me "than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Ps 119:72).

Promise: "Yes, 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

Praise: Sandra forgave the drunk driver who killed her son.

Prayer for the Helpless Unborn

fetus at 11 weeks

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.