Thursday, November 17, 2022, St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Revelation 5:1-10
Psalm 149:1-6,
Luke 19:41-44: NGƯƠI ĐÃ KHÔNG NHẬN BIẾT THỜI GIỜ CHÚA VIẾNG THĂM
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SOUNDING, SMELLING, AND FLYING PRAYERS
“Along with their harps, the elders were holding vessels of gold filled with aromatic spices, which were the prayers of God’s holy people.” —Revelation 5:8

John called the prayers of God’s people “aromatic spices,” that is, incense. Figuratively speaking, our prayers have a pleasing smell, are surrounded by others’ prayers, and rise to God. Our prayers sound, smell, and move. Moreover, our prayers are contained in “vessels of gold” (Rv 5:8). Because what a container holds is usually more valuable than the container, our prayers are said to be more valuable than golden vessels.

Our precious prayers are held by the elders, that is, the leaders of the Church, who have fallen down in adoration before Jesus, the Lamb (Rv 5:8). Our prayers are in the context of submission to the Church, which is in submission to Jesus. The elders of the Church are holding our prayers in one hand and holding harps in the other (Rv 5:8). This shows that our prayers are always in the context of the heavenly praises.  We are all members of the communion of saints.

When we understand the context of prayer, when we see prayer in all its heavenly glory, we come to the conclusion that there is “the necessity of praying always and not losing heart” (Lk 18:1). Pray!

Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to help me to pray in my weakness (Rm 8:26).

Promise: “Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful.” —Ps 149:1

Praise: St. Elizabeth had such great love for the poor and suffering that she is the patron saint of Catholic Charities and the Secular Franciscan Order.

(For a related teaching on Lord, Teach Us to Pray, listen to, download or order our CD 57-3 or DVD 57 on our website.)

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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Tuesday, November 15, 2022, St. Albert the Great

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22
Psalm 15:2-5
Luke 19:1-10
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JESUS SEEKS THE LOST : CHÚA GIÊ-SU TÌM CỨU NHỮNG GÌ ĐÃ MẤT.
“The Son of Man has come to search out and save what was lost.” —Luke 19:10

Jesus has an extraordinary ability to point out sins, but He does so in such a way that people are happy to repent, do penance, restore damages, and then have fellowship with Him. Notorious sinners such as Matthew and Zacchaeus were happy to be with Jesus (see Mt 9:9-10; Lk 19:6). It’s still the same today (Heb 13:8).

Jesus draws all people to Himself (Jn 12:32). Sinners throughout the ages have been so happy to receive the love and mercy of Jesus that they gladly repented and believed. Jesus does not ignore sin and sinners (Jn 8:11). Rather, He lifts them from the swamp of sin and raises them to the joys of new, risen life with Him.

Jesus intentionally seeks the lost and sinful people of this world (Lk 19:10). He is the Good Shepherd Who leaves the safety and comfort of the sheepfold to search for the lost and wounded (Lk 15:1ff). Jesus stands knocking at the door of our heart (Rv 3:20).

Jesus is not soft on sin. He is direct and challenging, but His touch makes a sinner welcome His intervention. Jesus is knocking on your door. “Be earnest about it, therefore. Repent!” (Rv 3:19)

Prayer: Jesus, give me the grace to always open wide the door of my heart to Your knocking (2 Cor 6:13).

Promise: “I know the reputation you have of being alive, when in fact you are dead! Wake up, and strengthen what remains before it dies.” —Rv 3:1-2

Praise: St. Albert the Great is a Doctor of the Church and the patron of scientists. He was also a respected philosopher, theologian, and teacher. His star pupil was St. Thomas Aquinas.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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Wednesday, November 16, 2022, St. Margaret of Scotland
St. Gertrude the Great

Revelation 4:1-11
Psalm 150:1-6
Luke 19:11-28
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SERVE THE KING OF KINGS
“We will not have this man rule over us.” —Luke 19:14

The evil in the world is so massively powerful and well-funded that despair and discouragement are natural reactions. Worldly people hate the Lord and will not accept His kingdom in secular society (Jn 15:18ff). They oppose the Kingdom of God with all their strength.

In today’s Gospel parable, Jesus proclaims that He understands this worldly opposition, prophesied by Simeon while He was just a Baby (Lk 2:34). This coming Sunday is the Feast of “Christ the King, Lord of the Universe.” If King Jesus chose, He could crush evil underfoot in a moment. Yet when Jesus had that chance, He did not crush evil in worldly strength (Jn 18:36). Rather, Jesus crushed evil in the ultimate spiritual war; He destroyed the devil’s works (1 Jn 3:8).

Jesus said: “It is much better for you that I go” (Jn 16:7). Mysteriously, where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (see Rm 5:20). Allow King Jesus to reign over you as He sees fit. Serve King Jesus faithfully and with confidence.

Prayer: King Jesus, we do want You to rule over us. “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10).

Promise: “O Lord our God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power! For You have created all things; by Your will they came to be and were made!” —Rv 4:11

Praise: “She was an exceptional woman, endowed with special natural talents and extraordinary gifts of grace” (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, commenting on St. Gertrude the Great, October 6, 2010).

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Men! The annual retreat for you is coming up Dec. 2-3 at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Discipleship Center in Adams Co. Ohio. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com for information or to register.)

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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Monday, November 14, 2022,

Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Luke 18:35-43
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SEEING HEALINGS
“Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” —Luke 18:42

Many Christians in our secular humanistic culture have been programmed to have reservations about Jesus’ healings. They wonder whether Jesus really did all those healings. Even if they believe He did, they doubt whether He still does such things. They think that things are different now, and of course, they are right. Now we can’t talk to Jesus standing right in front of us, and we can’t audibly hear His voice. Things are different for us than for those who walked and talked with Jesus.

However, these differences do not mean that Jesus heals less but that He heals more. Jesus said that it is better for us that He go (Jn 16:7). After Jesus ascended, He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit (see Jn 16:7-8). Filled with the Spirit, those who believe in Jesus can do works greater than Jesus ever did (Jn 14:12). Jesus began the New Testament healing ministry; He did not end it. Therefore, we can live in the golden age of healing. But we must first let Jesus open our eyes to see His greater healings and greater glory shining through the New Testament Church (see 2 Cor 3:9).

Lord, “I want to see” (Lk 18:41).

Prayer: Father, may I begin to see things the way You see them.

Promise: “I hold this against you, though: you have turned aside from your early love. Keep firmly in mind the heights from which you have fallen. Repent, and return to your former deeds.” —Rv 2:4-5

Praise: Gloria was healed of tumors three times, each time just before the scheduled operation.

(For a related teaching on How Jesus Healed, listen to, download or order our CD 11A-1 or DVD 11A on our website.)

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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