October 31 - One Bread, One Body
October 31, Thirty First Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51
2) Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 12:28-34
All or nothing
"The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.” — Deuteronomy 6:4-6
When you ask people if they’ve given their lives to Jesus, they say “yes.” When you ask if they evangelize, tithe, or read the Bible, they often say “no,” as if evangelizing, tithing, or knowing the Bible were not essential parts of our commitment to Christ.
This does not mean we must be perfect in fulfilling our commitment to Christ, but it does mean that we must make a total commitment. The first commandment is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mk 12:30). The Lord says the word “all” four times. But many Christians seem to be surprised when you tell them “all” means all.
Christianity is all or nothing. Jesus died on the cross and gave everything for us that we might give everything to Him. If He’s not Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all. Jesus plans to save our entire lives and not parts of them. His kingdom can be purchased only by our “all” (Mt 13:44-46).
Prayer: Jesus, I give You all of me.
Promise: “Therefore He is always able to save those who approach God through Him, since He forever lives to make intercession for them.” —Heb 7:25
Praise: “The city had no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb” (Rv 21:23). Risen Jesus, Lamb of God, You brighten my path.
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, 2021 through January 31, 2022.
†Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021.
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.