January 14 - One Bread, One Body

January 14, Second Sunday Ordinary Time

Cycle A Readings:
1) 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 9
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10
2) 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20
Gospel) John 1:35-42

Our Only Hope

"Look! There is the Lamb of God!" — John 1:36

For generations we have fashioned a culture of death — step by step, war by war, abortion by abortion, injustice by injustice, sin by sin. Our seeds of unfaithfulness, lust, and greed have grown into a sickeningly rich harvest of injustice. Is there any hope?

In Christ alone there is hope. He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). Jesus is "the Messiah! (This term means the Anointed)" (Jn 1:41) and "Rabbi (which means Teacher)" (Jn 1:38). He is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). He will call our names (see 1 Sm 3:4) and change our names (see Jn 1:42). Jesus will bring good news to the poor, "proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord" (Lk 4:18-19). Jesus is bringing down the culture of death and replacing it with a civilization of love and life.

There is hope; there is certain hope in Jesus — in Jesus alone. Alleluia!

Prayer: Father, thank You for Jesus: Life and Hope.

Promise: "You must know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is within — the Spirit you have received from God. You are not your own. You have been purchased, and at a price. So glorify God in your body." — 1 Cor 6:19-20

Praise: Praise the risen, eucharistic Jesus! Alleluia! "To Him be glory forever and ever" (2 Tm 4:18).

Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2017 through January 31, 2018.

†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2017.

The Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.