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Friday, March 11, 2022

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Ezekiel 18:21-28
Psalm 130:1-8
Matthew 5:20-26

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the highest standards

“Everyone who grows angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.” —Matthew 5:22

Jesus has a higher standard for personal relationships than we do. No one but Christ demands such love in our relationships. Here are some of Jesus’ standards for relationships:

1) immediate removal of resentment, unforgiveness, and anger (Mt 5:25),

2) loving enemies even to laying down our lives for them (Mt 5:44; 1 Jn 3:16),

3) sharing fellowship with the poor, lame, and blind (Lk 14:13),

4) anticipating each other in showing respect (Rm 12:10),

5) building up one another instead of acting out of rivalry and jealousy (Rm 15:2),

6) unity with one another as Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are One (Jn 17:21),

7) no judging of people’s motives (Mt 7:1),

8) no lustful glances, thoughts, or words (Mt 5:28; Eph 5:3-4),

9) serving each other at great personal cost (Lk 10:33-35), and

10) bearing one another’s burdens, and suffering with others (Gal 6:2; 1 Cor 12:26).

Jesus’ standards for relationships are impossible by human power. However, “nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).

Prayer:  Father, beginning this Lent may I have an impossible, unconditional love for the people You’ve put in my life.

Promise:  “If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all My statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” —Ez 18:21

Praise:  In loving faith, Marcie sacrificed a career in the government to raise, care for, and homeschool her neurologically disabled daughter.

Reference:  

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 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.