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<< Wednesday, August 8, 2012 >>

Jeremiah 31:1-7
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Jeremiah 31:10-13

Matthew 15:21-28

MOVING YOUR CLOCK UP

"That very moment her daughter got better." —Matthew 15:28

"At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be My people." —Jeremiah 31:1

"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens" (Eccl 3:1). Consequently, Jesus told the Canaanite woman that it was not time for Him to minister to the Gentiles (see Mt 15:24). However, by her great faith, the woman moved up Jesus' timetable (Mt 15:28).

Jesus told Mary, His mother, that it wasn't time to do His first miracle (Jn 2:4). Nonetheless, by her great faith, Mary turned the clock forward.

Jesus tells us it's not time for His final return and the end of the world. However, we have the power to hasten the end of time (2 Pt 3:12).

It is not necessary to wait for certain things to happen. Some things timed for next year can happen this year if we only have faith — even great faith. Faith can not only move mountains (Mt 17:20); it can even move up time.

By faith, make the future present or at least soon, sooner, or very soon. Wait for what may seem forever, or receive now by faith.

Prayer: Father, may I not keep You waiting.

Promise: "With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept My mercy toward you." —Jer 31:3

Praise: St. Dominic obeyed his king, bishop, pope, and Lord and so worked wonders. His ideal was "to speak only of God or to God."

PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN CHILD

Almighty God, our Father, you who have given us life and intended us to have it forever, grant us your blessings.
Enlighten our minds to an awareness and to a renewed conviction that all human life is sacred because it is created
in your image and likeness. Help us to teach by word and the example of our lives that life occupies the first place,
that human life is precious because it is the gift of God whose love is infinite. Give us the strength to defend human life
against every influence or action that threatens or weakens it, as well as the strength to make every life more human
in all its aspects.

Give us the grace...

When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked, to stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority
to destroy unborn life.

When a child is described as a burden or is looked upon only as a means to satisfy an emotional need, to stand up
and insist that every child is a unique and unrepeatable gift of God, a gift of God with a right to a loving and united family.

When the institution of marriage is abandoned to human selfishness or reduced to a temporary conditional arrangement
that can easily be terminated, to stand up and affirm the indissolubility of the marriage bond.

When the value of the family is threatened because of social and economic pressure, to stand up and reaffirm that the family is necessary
not only for the private good of every person, but also for the common good of every society, nation and state.

When freedom is used to dominate the weak, to squander natural resources and energy, to deny basic necessities to people,
to stand up and affirm the demands of justice and social love.

Almighty Father, give us courage to proclaim the supreme dignity of all human life and to demand that society itself give its protection.
We ask this in your name, through the redemptive act of your Son and in the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

(From Pope John Paul II's homily of October 7, 1979.)

One Bread, One Body

MOVING YOUR CLOCK UP

PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN CHILD