Saturday, October 29, 2022,

Philippians 1:18-26
Psalm 42:2-3, 5
Luke 14:1, 7-11
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DOWNWARDLY MOBILE
“What you should do when you have been invited is go and sit in the lowest place.” —Luke 14:10

Jesus compared life to a wedding party at which we must be careful to “sit in the lowest place.” The Lord may change our seat, but that’s up to Him. Our responsibility is to sit in the lowest place. Which are the lowest places in life? Low-paying jobs, houses or apartments in poor areas, a simple lifestyle, a single life for the Lord, the responsibility of a large family, or a religious vocation are sometimes the lowest places.

Some of today’s lowest places were formerly high places, and the Lord may make them high places again when He exalts those who have humbled themselves (Lk 14:11). Then we will look for other low places. Jesus did this when He took the lowest place by becoming man (Phil 2:7). Then He chose to be born in a stable and laid in a manger (Lk 2:7). He found an even lower place by being crucified as a criminal (Lk 23:33). Jesus still looked for a place lower than the lowest. He found it in the Eucharist. Here Jesus became present under the appearances of common bread and wine, becoming our spiritual food and drink (see Jn 6:55).

Some Christians are called to be downwardly mobile — looking for less money, a simpler lifestyle, or a less appreciated job. We are absurd to the world as Jesus is (see 1 Cor 1:18).

Prayer: Father, may I not miss any opportunity to “empty” myself as Jesus did (see Phil 2:7).

Promise: “All that matters is that in any and every way, whether from specious motives or genuine ones, Christ is being proclaimed!” —Phil 1:18

Praise: Luke joyfully works in a low-paying job and doing volunteer work in solidarity with the involuntarily poor.

(For a related teaching on Life Decisions, view, download or order our booklet or listen to, download or order our CD 44-1 or DVD 44 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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Friday, October 28, 2022, Sts. Simon & Jude

Ephesians 2:19-22
Psalm 19:2-5
Luke 6:12-16
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TWO TOO
“At daybreak He called His disciples and selected twelve of them to be His apostles: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot.” —Luke 6:13-16

Jesus sent out His disciples two by two (Lk 10:1). When Jesus named the apostles, He listed them in twosomes (Lk 6:14ff; Mt 10:2ff). In Luke’s Gospel, Jude (short for Judas) is listed as the partner of “Judas Iscariot, who turned traitor” (Lk 6:16). In Matthew’s Gospel, Simon the Zealot is listed as Judas’ partner. Therefore, it’s quite possible that Jude and Simon were especially close to Judas. They may have sensed something missing in Judas’ relationship with Jesus. They may have suspected that Judas was a treasurer-thief, stealing from Jesus and the other apostles (see Jn 12:6). When Judas betrayed Christ and sold Him for thirty pieces of silver (Mt 26:14-15), what did Simon and Jude think? Did they feel guilty, deceived, depressed, or angry? When Judas committed suicide (see Mt 27:3-5), how did Simon and Jude take it? Did they feel even more guilt and confusion? In the upper room before Pentecost, how did Simon and Jude feel when Peter brought up the subject of Judas? (see Acts 1:16ff)

Throughout the history of the Church, Simon and Jude have become connected as partners, although never listed in the Bible as such. Possibly, Simon and Jude were partners in trauma, pain, and then healing. Possibly, this is why they can be partners as patrons of the impossible. Sts. Simon and Jude, pray for us.

Prayer: Father, continue to do the impossible in my life.

Promise: “You are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God.” —Eph 2:19

Praise: Sts. Simon & Jude were both martyred by the Persians, having spread the gospel in Europe and Asia Minor.



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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, October 26, 2022,

Ephesians 6:1-9
Psalm 145:10-14
Luke 13:22-30
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THE LORD OF THE WORKS AND THE WORKS OF THE LORD
“Let all Your works give You thanks, O Lord.” —Psalm 145:10

When the Bible uses the word “slaves,” it usually corresponds to our word “employees.” Thus, we may find five commandments for employees in today’s first reading.

1)      “Obey your human masters with the reverence, the awe, and the sincerity you owe to Christ” (Eph 6:5). This applies not only to “the good and reasonable” bosses, “but even those who are harsh” (1 Pt 2:18). This is not possible naturally, but is a “work of grace” (1 Pt 2:19).

2)      “Do not render service for appearance only and to please men” (Eph 6:6). Paul said: “If I were trying to win man’s approval, I would surely not be serving Christ!” (Gal 1:10)

3)      “Do God’s will with your whole heart as slaves of Christ” (Eph 6:6). Because we love Jesus with our whole heart (see Mt 22:37), we work with our whole heart.

4)      “Give your service willingly” (Eph 6:7). “Everyone must give according to what he has inwardly decided; not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).

5)      Do “it for the Lord rather than men” (Eph 6:7).

The Bible tells us Who to work for, how to work, how not to work, and how to relate to our bosses. If we work accordingly, not “for perishable food but for food that remains unto life eternal” (Jn 6:27), we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as our reward (Col 3:24). Work for love of the Lord.

Prayer: Father, may I put in a good day’s work for You each day.

Promise: “Each one, whether slave or free, will be repaid by the Lord for whatever good he does.” —Eph 6:8

Praise: For many years, Sam and his children went to monthly Confession together.



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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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