June 30 - One Bread, One Body
June 30, Thirteenth Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle C Readings:
1) 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
2) Galatians 5:1, 13-18
Gospel) Luke 9:51-62
"The land if the free?"
"You have been called to live in freedom." — Galatians 5:13
"It was for liberty that Christ freed us. So stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time!" —Galatians 5:1
After we make the ultimate decision to convert, we spend all our time with the Lord and all our lives for Him. Then we get to know the Lord personally, and it doesn't take us long to realize that the Lord is preoccupied with our freedom. We should expect this because Jesus' mission is to set the captives free (Lk 4:18). He died on the cross to free us from our sins, and He rose from the dead to free us from Satan, the prince of death (see Heb 2:14). Only if Jesus frees us are we truly free (Jn 8:36). Jesus is our Redeemer, Who has done everything necessary to free us.
Therefore, Jesus insists that we be free from unforgiveness, fear, self-hatred, and addictions to everything from alcohol to TV, electronic devices, types of food, gambling, pornography, cigarettes, caffeine, drugs, etc.
God the Father through Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to give us desires in opposition to our fallen, addicted nature (Gal 5:17). By living our baptisms, that is, our lives in the Spirit, we will be free.
Prayer: Father, free me from the culture of death. May I be always free in You.
Promise: "Jesus answered him, 'Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God.' " —Lk 9:62
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, "the First-Born of the dead" (Col 1:18).
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 June 1, 2019 through July 31, 2019.
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018.
The Nihil Obstat ("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 Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.