July 22 - One Bread, One Body
July 22, Sixteenth Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23:1-6
2) Ephesians 2:13-18
Gospel) Mark 6:30-34
Peace Talks
"It is He Who is our Peace, and Who made the two of us one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart." — Ephesians 2:14
Micah prophesied that the Messiah would not only be peaceful or make peace but that He would be Peace (Mi 5:4). Moreover, Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount, the quintessence of His preaching, by proclaiming: "Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9). On the night before He died, Jesus announced that He would leave peace to His disciples in His last will and testament (Jn 14:27). Considering all this and more, St. Paul came to the conclusion that Jesus "is our Peace" (Eph 2:14), Who establishes peace (Eph 2:15) and announces "peace to you who were far off, and to those who were near" (Eph 2:17).
It is clear that Jesus is Peace. But is He your Peace? For this to be so, we must follow Jesus by making peace through the blood of the cross (Col 1:20). For Jesus to be our Peace, we must accept Jesus as our Peace by forgiving, loving, and reconciling with everyone, including our enemies. We make Jesus our Peace at the cross. Take up the cross of Peace, your Peace.
Prayer: Father, give me peace on earth and in heaven forever.
Promise: "I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the Lord." —Jer 23:4
Praise: Alleluia! Jesus is risen! He has conquered sin and death. Alleluia!
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 June 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018.
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 27, 2018.
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.