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He, who begins by loving Christianity, better than truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), Aids to Reflection
(What stirs in you as you read this? What is revealed to you about yourself in the stirring?)
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Jer 15:10, 16-21; Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18
Mt 13:44-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
"The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“When I found Your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, because I bore Your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” —Jeremiah 15:16
Many of us find it hard to read the Bible, but the Lord wants us to eat the Bible, to consume, even devour it. “Not on bread alone is man to live but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). His Word is like honey from the comb (Ps 19:11), sweet at first although later soured by persecution (Rv 10:9-10). Nonetheless, God’s Word is still our joy and happiness because we bear His name (Jer
15:16).
If God’s words are not that important to us, possibly we don’t have a deep, personal relationship with Him. If we don’t spend time reading the Bible, then how can we bear His name? “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133).
Have you read an article about someone you knew personally? You probably read it with much more enthusiasm than other articles. You would be even more interested if you knew the author. If you have a personal relationship with the Author of the Bible, God the Father, and know the Word made flesh, Jesus, then you will read, study, and devour God’s Word in the Bible. Delight in the Word of the Lord and meditate
on it day and night (Ps 1:2).
Prayer: Jesus, Word of God, may I feel called to kiss the Bible as a sign of my love for You and Your Word.
Promise: “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant’s search for fine pearls. When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it.” —Mt 13:45-46
Presentation Ministries
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Poems from the Little Flower of Jesus: Saint Therese of Lisieux
- by Athanasius Press, 2018
Part One: To Live of Love
"If any man love Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. . . My peace I give unto you . . . Abide in My love."
(St. John 14:23, 27, -- 15:9)
11.
To live of love, it is to dry Thy tears,
To seek for pardon for each sinful soul,
To strive to save all people from doubts and fears,
And bring them home to Thy benign control.
Comes to my ear sin's wild and blasphemous roar;
So, to efface each day, that burning shame,
I cry: " O Jesus Christ! I Thee adore.
I love Thy Name!"
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Paperback
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