September 22 - One Bread, One Body
September 22, Twenty-Fifth Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle C Readings:
1) Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113:1-2, 4-8
2) 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Gospel) Luke 16:1-13
Grace and peace
"Prayer of this kind is good, and God our Savior is pleased with it, for He wants all men to be saved." — 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Jesus died on the cross so that all would be saved from sin, death, and damnation. We are saved by His grace, which we must decide to accept by faith (Eph 2:8) and live in love with all our hearts (see Lk 10:27). The decisions to accept God's saving graces are the most important decisions of our lives.
However, these decisions are extremely difficult to make, for we are strongly pressured by the world, the flesh, and the devil to choose pride, pleasure, and selfishness rather than God's grace and love. However, the Lord calls us to "lead undisturbed and tranquil lives in perfect piety and dignity" (1 Tm 2:2). In this context, we are much more likely to repeatedly choose grace and thereby salvation.
Consequently, we must make it a priority to pray for everyone, particularly for godly leaders who will set up a society of peace, tranquility, and respect for human rights (see 1 Tm 2:1ff). We must then submit ourselves to the godly authority of pastors, government leaders, husbands, parents, employers, etc.
Our culture of death sets us up to reject grace after grace by making bad decision after bad decision. However, a civilization of love in which we live "undisturbed and tranquil" lives brings out the best in us as we decide again and again to live in grace. Grace and peace to you (Phil 1:2).
Prayer: Father, show me the relationship between lifestyle and grace.
Promise: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other or be attentive to the one and despise the other. You cannot give yourself to God and money." —Lk 16:13
Praise: Praise You, Jesus, "the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Tm 6:15). 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 August 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019.
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 15, 2019.
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.