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Monday, July 17, 2023

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Exodus 1:8-14, 22
Psalm 124:1-8
Matthew 10:34—11:1

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taming of the shrewd

“Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase.” —Exodus 1:10

We live in a modern-day Egypt. Many groups conspire to stop our increase. At the head of this conspiracy is Satan, who is still dealing shrewdly with God’s people to keep children from being conceived, birthed, and raised to healthy Christian maturity. Shrewd remarks and putdowns may stop increases as effectively as artificial contraception, abortion, and sterilization.

Satan has used his pawns to shrewdly attempt to take control of human sexuality and reproduction and to expel Jesus from this crucial arena. Once again, Satan, “the prince of death” (Heb 2:14), is trying to get people to crucify Jesus, “the Author of Life” (Acts 3:15), and keep Life out of the bedroom.

We need new Daniels to speak out against this corruption (Dn 13:45ff), new Johns to boldly confront sexual immorality (Mk 6:18), and new Pauls to call society to purity and holiness (1 Tm 4:12). We need people to love Jesus more than anyone or anything (Mt 10:37). We need to use the weapons of prayer and fasting to destroy Satan’s strongholds (2 Cor 10:4-5). Rescue those held in Satan’s snare (see Ps 124:7). Offer your body to Jesus as a weapon for righteousness (Rm 6:13; cf Rm 12:1).

Prayer:  Jesus, I will spend my life proclaiming You as Lord with my words and my lifestyle.

Promise:  “He who brings himself to nought for Me discovers who he is.” —Mt 10:39

Praise:  Jim and Sarah have dedicated their lives to promoting chastity by writing books, giving teachings, and training those who teach natural family planning.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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 June 1, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

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.