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Sunday, January 19, 2003

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2nd Sunday Ordinary Time


1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19
1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20
Psalm 40
John 1:35-42

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body language

"The body, however, is not for immorality, but for the Lord." —1 Corinthians 6:13

Our bodies have been created to glorify God (1 Cor 6:20). The parts of our bodies are to be "weapons for righteousness" (Rm 6:13). Therefore, our eyes are not to be used to look lustfully (Mt 5:28). Our minds are not for sexual fantasies. Our lips are not for kissing impurely. Our hands are not for touching lustfully. Our sexual organs are not for adultery, fornication, homosexual acts, unnatural marital relations, masturbation, or pornography. Our legs and breasts are not for immodesty. Our tongues are not for seduction.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, Whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor 6:19-20).

Those who are pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3) and who follow Jesus "wherever He goes" (Rv 14:4) will see the Lord raise their bodies from the dead (1 Cor 15:35ff) and remake their bodies "to conform with His glorified body" (Phil 3:21). "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit" (2 Cor 7:1).

Prayer:  Father, purify my body and make it "holy and without blemish" (Eph 5:27).

Promise:  "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening." —1 Sm 3:9

Praise:  Praise the pure, holy, crucified, risen, and glorified Lamb of God!

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on Birth Control on audio AV 45-3 or video V-45.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002