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Thursday, July 15, 2021

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St. Bonaventure


Exodus 3:13-20
Psalm 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27
Matthew 11:28-30

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nothing but jesus

“I am concerned about you.” —Exodus 3:16

The proof to show Moses that he was sent by God was that, after Moses brought the people out of Egypt, they would worship on Mount Horeb (Ex 3:12). A proof after the fact is not a very good proof by human standards. Moses realized this and asked for another assurance, for God to reveal His name. With this, Moses could name for the people the One Who had sent him. “God replied, ‘I Am Who Am.’ Then He added, ‘This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you’ ” (Ex 3:14). This also was less than ideal. If you go up to people and say, “I AM sent me to you,” do you think they’ll understand what you’re saying?

In effect, the Lord sent Moses to Egypt with nothing but faith. Even Moses’ miraculous staff wasn’t that much help because the Egyptian magicians could perform the same signs. The key to power in ministry is not having a few things to fall back on but having nothing to fall back on. When Jesus sent the apostles out for ministry, He set them up by giving them nothing and taking away the little they had. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking staff nor traveling bag; no bread, no money” (Lk 9:3). Jesus is still trying to leave His workers with nothing but faith in Him. Will you accept this?

Prayer:  Jesus, “give me only Your love and Your grace. That’s enough for me” (A Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola).

Promise:  “Your souls will find rest, for My yoke is easy and My burden light.” —Mt 11:29-30

Praise:  In a concrete example of the communion of saints, St. Bonaventure wrote a biography of St. Francis of Assisi. Bonaventure also helped reform and reorganize the Franciscan order.

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Pride and Faith, order, listen to or download our CD 64-1 or DVD 64 on our website.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021. Reverend Steve J Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 20, 2021"

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.