[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Monday, September 10, 2012 >>

1 Corinthians 5:1-8
View Readings

Psalm 5:5-7, 12

Luke 6:6-11

"LET'S GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT"

"Get up and stand here in front." —Luke 6:8

 

Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. Jesus was "in your face" about doing this healing. The text shows that Jesus intentionally challenged the Pharisees on this issue (Lk 6:8-10). Jesus sometimes healed people privately (see Mk 5:40ff; 8:23ff). However, on this occasion, Jesus not only healed the man, but had him come stand up in front of everyone before He healed him (Lk 6:8). Jesus began the overturning of an unjust mindset by a public act of love and healing. This healing was also a direct challenge to authority not open to His Father's plan, and would intensify His future suffering and lead to His own death (Lk 6:11).

Don't be afraid to give the world "something to talk about." Jesus tells us to put our light on the lampstand so that all may see it. Then all will see your good works and some who see will give glory to God (Mt 5:15-16). Others who see them might persecute you. Then your suffering will give even more glory to God. If you must suffer for being a Christian, then praise God! (1 Pt 4:16)

 

Prayer: Father, give me the spiritual gift of discernment so that I may know when to keep my actions secret (Mt 6:1-18) and when to make them public (Mt 5:15-16; Jn 3:21). May I always seek to glorify You and never bring attention to myself (1 Cor 10:31). "In my life, Lord, be glorified."

Promise: "Get rid of the old yeast to make of yourselves fresh dough, unleavened loaves, as it were; Christ our Passover has been sacrificed." —1 Cor 5:7

Praise: Joan gave up a lucrative job when her children were born so that she might better help lay their foundation in Christ.

[Salvation]

A Pro-Life Prayer For Our President And Public Officials

Lord God, Author of Life and Source of Eternal Life,

Move the hearts of all our public officials and especially our President, to fulfill their responsibilities worthily and well to all those entrusted to their care.

Help them in their special leadership roles, to extend the mantle of protection to the most vulnerable, especially the defenseless unborn, whose lives are threatened with extermination by an indifferent society.

Guide all public officials by your wisdom and grace to cease supporting any law that fails to protect the fundamental good that is human life itself, which is a gift from God and parents.

You are the Protector and Defender of the lives of the innocent unborn. Change the hearts of those who compromise the call to protect and defend life. Bring our nation to the values that have made us a great nation, a society that upholds the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Mary, the Mother of the living, help us to bear witness to the Gospel of Life with our lives and our laws, through Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.

 

• Imprimatur:
• January 22, 2009
• Most Reverend Robert J. Baker
• Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama