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Saturday, May 28, 2016

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Jude 17:20-25
Psalm 63:2-6
Mark 11:27-33

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fallen-away catholics?

"There is One Who can protect you from a fall." —Jude 24 Each of us is in danger of falling away from our "sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:3). Even whole

churches can fall away from their love for Christ (see Gal 1:6; Mt 24:12). The majority of Christians will apostatize before Jesus comes a final time (2 Thes 2:3). When Jesus returns, will He find any faith on the earth? (Lk 18:8) "For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!" (1 Cor 10:12)

"There is One Who can protect you from a fall and make you stand unblemished and exultant in the presence of His glory. Glory be to this only God our Savior" (Jude 24-25). Only by God's grace will we be protected from the deceit of Satan, the father of lies (Jn 8:44), who "is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pt 5:8). We must resist temptation by growing strong in our "holy faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). If we fall into sin, we should repent and go to Confession as soon as possible. The Lord commands: "Submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you backsliders" (Jas 4:7-8).

We can remain faithful to the Lord no matter what Satan does and no matter how many fall (see Ps 91:7). Repent, confess, grow strong, stand firm in your faith.

Prayer:  Father, at Jesus' return, may I be a "member in good standing" of Your glorious, holy, and immaculate Church (see Eph 5:27).

Promise:  "Your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify You." —Ps 63:4

Praise:  With confident faith, Sarah prays daily, year after year, for her children and grandchildren to return to the Church.

Reference:  (For a related teaching on The Necessity of Confession for Renewal, order, listen to, or download our CD 70-1 or DVD 70-CH. 2 at presentationministries.com or order our tape on audio AV 70-1 or video V-70.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 6, 2015

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