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James 1:12-18
View Readings |
Psalm 94 |
Mark 8:14-21
Similar Reflections |
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OUR CAPACITY FOR SELF-DECEPTION |
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| "Do you still not understand?" —Mark 8:21 |
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Jesus multiplied five loaves to feed five thousand men and several thousand women and children. He repeated this miracle on another occasion using seven loaves. Both times there were more leftovers than the food Jesus started with (Mk 8:19-20). After these two amazing miracles, the Pharisees blindly asked Jesus for a sign (Mk 8:11). Jesus sighed "from the depths of His spirit" (Mk 8:12). Jesus' disciples were also blind to reality. Jesus questioned them: "Do you still not see or comprehend? Are your minds completely blinded? Have you eyes but no sight? Ears but no hearing?" (Mk 8:17-18) The obtuseness (see Mk 7:22) and self-deception of the human person is alarming. We can see a miracle right before our eyes and yet miss it completely. We can kill millions of babies in the womb and just pretend, contrary to all biological and scientific data, that they are not really human beings. We can bomb our enemies and say we are really loving them because we are fighting a "just war." We can stare at pornographic garbage on prime-time TV and call it entertainment. The human capacity for self-deception is terrifying. We would deceive ourselves all the way to hell but for the grace and light of Jesus. We need Jesus desperately. He alone is the Truth (Jn 14:6). |
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| Prayer: Father, may the Holy Spirit I received at Pentecost open my eyes and lead me to change my life. |
| Promise: "Every worthwhile gift, every genuine benefit comes from above." —Jas 1:17 |
| Praise: While making a pilgrimage to Fatima as a young man, Fr. Rick discerned and accepted his calling to be a priest. |
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| (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Living in Reality, or our tapes, either a four-part audio series starting with AV 38-1 or a two-part video series starting with V-38.) |
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Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish
One Bread, One Body covering the period from April 1, 2008 through
May 31, 2008.
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 23, 2007 |
The rescript 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 ecclesial permission
agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed. |
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