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Forgiveness

Trust, when shared with one another, bridges psychological barriers
and emotional divides. And yet, it is the most difficult to repair
when damaged. That’s why we find it so unimaginable to forgive someone
who has broken our trust.

Jesus shared that promising relationship with his disciples. He taught
them how to be close to his Father. But one of his associates in their
close-knit group decided to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

We seldom have a face to show our companions when caught in a similar
grievous act. We save ourselves from punishment. We try to bargain
with God and use God for our own misconstrued purposes. Even with the
obvious trust issues he had to go through, Jesus did not condemn Judas
to eternal damnation for what he did. He reveals his divine forgiving
side. Jesus wants us to embrace our mortality and get up whenever we
fall short on the way to being better Christians. He wants us to stand
up and realize that only by following him towards holiness do we find
the key to sharing the life that he truly wants us to have.

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, April 4, 2012 >>

Holy Week
Saint of the Day

Isaiah 50:4-9
View Readings

Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34

Matthew 26:14-25

"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY" WEEK

"Speak to the weary a word that will rouse them." —Isaiah 50:4

This week is called "Holy Week" because, during this week, the Lord gives us the grace to become more holy, to become like Him in every aspect of our conduct (1 Pt 1:15). Of course, every week is holy week because the Lord constantly calls us to become holy as He is holy (1 Pt 1:15-16). However, this week is the opportunity to realize that the Lord is constantly trying to "rouse" us to holiness. In Holy Week, we can receive the grace to hunger and thirst for holiness (Mt 5:6). If Holy Week turns out as God has planned it, then on Easter we will want to be a holy one, a saint, more than we want anything else in life. Then we will utilize the circumstances of our life not to maximize pleasure and minimize pain but to maximize holiness.

In the coming days and years, we can expect to be persecuted (2 Tm 3:12). We may be beaten, buffeted, and spit at (see Is 50:6). Only if we are holy will we respond to this abuse with love, forgiveness, and courage. Like Jesus, we may be betrayed even by those closest to us (see Mt 26:21). Only the holy respond to betrayal without betraying the Lord through sin. Only if we are holy will we be loving spouses, wise parents, obedient children, true friends, victorious workers, or faithful Christians. Only the holy are pure, joyful, and free. Without holiness, we cannot see God (Heb 12:14), we cannot go to heaven. After this Holy Week, may we want holiness enough to live and die for it.

Prayer: Lord, make me holy — no matter what it takes.

Promise: "Morning after morning He opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back." —Is 50:4-5

Praise: "The Lord hears the poor, and His own who are in bonds He spurns not" (Ps 69:34). Praise You, Jesus, for becoming poor, so we might become rich (2 Cor 8:9).

The Partial Birth Abortion Procedure

Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps.

	The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
	The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.
	The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole...
	The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.