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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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St. Ignatius of Loyola


Jeremiah 14:17-22
Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13
Matthew 13:36-43

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hope in god in our culture of death

"Have You cast Judah off completely?" —Jeremiah 14:19

Jeremiah looked at his society and described it as overwhelmed by great destruction (Jer 14:17). He diagnosed it as wounded and incurable (Jer 14:17). Under these circumstances, Jeremiah prayed: "Let my eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest" (Jer 14:17).

Pope John Paul II looked at our world and described it as a "culture of death." Although this is even worse than what Jeremiah described, Pope John Paul II assured the victory of a civilization of love and life over our "culture of death." Pope John Paul II was not naive. He realized the "enormous disparity between the powerful resources available to the forces promoting the 'culture of death' and the means at the disposal of those working for a 'culture of life and love' " (The Gospel of Life, 100). However, "we have faith in God our Father and Lord, in His goodness and mercy...God is preparing a great springtime for Christianity" (Mission of the Redeemer, Pope John Paul II, 86). Moreover, the "new springtime of Christian life...will be revealed...if Christians are docile to the action of the Holy Spirit" (Toward the Third Millennium, Pope John Paul II, 18).

"We are more than conquerors because of Him Who has loved us" (Rm 8:37). Thank You, Jesus!

Prayer:  Father, I will cross the threshold of hope.

Promise:  "Then the saints will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Let everyone heed what he hears!" —Mt 13:43

Praise:  St. Ignatius helped spread the Gospel east in India and west to Brazil.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on The Culture of Death on audio AV 73-3 or video V-73.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2012

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