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Friday, July 20, 2001

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Exodus 11:10—12:14
Psalm 116
Matthew 12:1-8

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home-bodies

"Every one of your families must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household." —Exodus 12:3

Passover is probably the greatest feast of the Jewish people. It is celebrated by families in their homes. Jesus chose to give His body and blood to us in the context of the Passover.

Jesus also made the home the base for evangelization. Jesus commanded His first missionaries: "Look for a worthy person in every town or village you come to and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his home bless it" (Mt 10:11-12).

Jesus and His body, the Church, are "home-bodies." He is focused on the home and intends to make your family what the Church has traditionally called the "domestic church" (see Catechism, 1655ff).

Some of you are called "home-schoolers." You have re-discovered that parents are the primary educators and the home is the primary school. However, this is just the beginning. Home-schooling must accompany the restoration of the home to a place of prayer, worship, and evangelization. We need to return to our Judeo-Christian roots and become "home-bodies."

Presentation Ministries, who provides One Bread, One Body, invites you to learn about and form a home-based Christian community. This can make you a "home-body," as Jesus is.

Prayer:  Father, make my home Your home.

Promise:  "The Son of Man is indeed Lord of the sabbath." —Mt 12:8

Praise:  When Betty's mother died and her brothers and sisters were fighting, she found peace in her home-based community.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, January 4, 2001


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 24, 2001