One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 29, Issue 6

<< Saturday, November 23, 2013 >>

Pope St. Clement
St. Columban
Bl. Miguel Pro

1 Maccabees 6:1-13
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Psalm 9:2-4, 6, 16, 19

Luke 20:27-40
Similar Reflections

CONFUSED?

"Sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God." —Luke 20:36

The Sadducees claimed there is no resurrection (Lk 20:27). The Pharisees claimed there is a resurrection. Jesus even claimed to be the Resurrection (Jn 11:25). The Sadducees did not try to prove their point, but just introduce a small element of confusion. They hoped that the little leaven of confusion would ruin the whole dough of faith in the resurrection (see Lk 20:33). This tactic did not work with Jesus because He responded to their question with a clarity that dispelled any confusion. His hearers had to respond: " 'Well said, Teacher.' They did not dare ask Him anything else" (Lk 20:40).

Although Jesus prevented confusion from infecting His followers' faith in the resurrection, many of the Corinthians succumbed to this tactic. They did not believe in the resurrection of Christians. They may have lost their faith in our resurrection because of confusions raised by such questions as: "How are the dead to be raised up? What kind of body will they have?" (1 Cor 15:35) St. Paul called these questions "nonsensical" (1 Cor 15:36). Like Jesus, he tried to dispel the confusion by teaching clearly.

It's normal for human beings to be confused. However, are you letting more confusions enter your life than necessary? Too much confusion, even about peripheral matters, can weaken and even damage your faith in the Lord.

Prayer: Father, open to me clear teachings from the Bible and by the Pope. Dispel any unnecessary confusions I may have.

Promise: "I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will declare all Your wondrous deeds." —Ps 9:2

Praise: Bl. Miguel Pro ministered the sacraments secretly to his people despite a government order forbidding worship. As he faced the firing squad, he spread his arms as did the crucified Jesus and shouted, 'Viva Cristo Rey!' ('Long live Christ the King!')

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.