Tagged: message of the day
“My spirit finds joy in God my Savior.” –Luke 1:47 The well-known prayer, “Litany of the Blessed Virgin,” addresses Mary as the “cause of our joy.” This title of Mary is most appropriate for today’s feast of her Assumption into heaven. Mary’s entire being found joy in the Lord (Lk 1:46). She spread that joy to others, even Elizabeth’s unborn baby, John, who leapt “for joy” at the sound of Mary’s voice as she carried Jesus in her womb, into their home (Lk 1:44). Mary was also present in the upper room at Pentecost (see Acts 1:14ff) and surely exulted...
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“This stone shall be our witness.” –Joshua 24:27 One of the most important words in the Bible is “witness.” Joshua said to the people: “You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord” (Jos 24:22). Joshua even set up a large stone as a witness. We have the custom of attaching little stones to rings, putting these rings and stones on our fingers, and using them as witnesses to our marriage vows. Isaiah prophesied that we are called to be God’s witnesses (Is 43:10). Shortly before His Ascension, Jesus commanded: “You will receive power when the...
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“A man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife, and the two shall become as one.” –Matthew 19:5 This “is the case between man and wife” (Mt 19:10): A husband loves his wife sacrificially, as Jesus loves us (Eph 5:25). He must give up his life for his wife (Eph 5:25). In imitation of Jesus, he tells his wife: “This is my body to be given for you” (see Lk 22:19). Thus, he gives up his schedule, interests, and availability for the good of his wife. He is “occupied with pleasing his wife” (1 Cor 7:33)....
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“Moved with pity, the master let the official go and wrote off the debt.” –Matthew 18:27 The Lord God is “moved with pity” when we humbly beg Him to have mercy on us (Mt 18:27). He is so moved when someone asks Him for forgiveness that He celebrates (Lk 15:23) and rejoices (Lk 15:10). Father Al Lauer, long-time author of One Bread, One Body, was fond of quoting the saying, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” God’s nature toward pleas for forgiveness from repeat offenders is to be moved with pity, while our human nature tends toward anger...
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Jesus said, “If your brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out his fault, but keep it between the two of you.” –Matthew 18:15 Christians don’t air their grievances publicly. We don’t wash our dirty laundry for all to see. We’re not trying to hide anything but we respect people’s rights not to be talked about behind their backs and not to be confronted in public. We keep it between the two of us (Mt 18:15). Even spouses and families should not know of our complaint. Shooting off our mouths often does more harm than the original...
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