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Tuesday, January 3, 2017

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Most Holy Name of Jesus


1 John 2:29—3:6
Psalm 98:1, 3-6
John 1:29-34

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"we are god's children now" (1 jn 3:2)

"See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God!" —1 John 3:1

Something happened to St. John that needs to happen to all of us. Like many of us, John heard he was a child of God. But by the grace of the Holy Spirit, John realized radically what it means to be a child of God. The Spirit cried out in his heart: "Abba" (Gal 4:6; Rm 8:15). It was as if John had heard the voice of God the Father saying: "You are My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased" (see Mt 3:17). After that, John walked and ran through life shocked into life by love as he kept saying: "We are God's children now" (1 Jn 3:2).

On each of the remaining eight days of the Christmas season, ask the Spirit to teach you (Jn 14:26) and cry out in your heart: "Abba." Begin this year by asking the Holy Spirit to impress on you the privileged glory of being a child of God. "Dearly beloved, we are God's children now" (1 Jn 3:2).

Prayer:  Jesus, You became a child of man so that I can be a child of God. I accept You and live as God's child (see Jn 1:12).

Promise:  "When you see the Spirit descend and rest on Someone, it is He Who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit." —Jn 1:33

Praise:  "The reason [Jesus] revealed Himself was to take away sins" (1 Jn 3:5). Praise the Most Holy Name of Jesus!

Reference:  (Exult in the glory of being a child of God by reading the Bible every day. We have several series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six CDs starting with CD 10A-1 or audio tape AV 10A-1, 15 Minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty CDs with detailed teaching as to chapter and verse starting with CD 700 or audio tape 700, An Introduction to Each Book of the Bible is thirty two CDs starting with CD 21-1 or audio tape AV 21-1.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 10, 2016

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