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Sunday, October 4, 1998

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27th Sunday Ordinary Time
Right to Life Sunday


Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Psalm 95
Luke 17:5-10

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ever-increasing faith

"Increase our faith." —Luke 17:5

We are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). "Faith the size of a mustard seed" can move mountains, trees, and any other obstacles in the way of doing God's will (Lk 17:6). "The just man, because of his faith, shall live" (Hab 2:4). Having faith makes the difference between everlasting life or death. "All depends on faith" (Rm 4:16). "But when the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:8)

We have faith, but we also lack faith (Mk 9:24). We must cry out to the Lord: "Increase our faith" (Lk 17:5). One of the main ways the Lord will answer this prayer is by calling us to spend time in His word daily (see Acts 17:11), to live in His word (Jn 8:31). "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rm 10:17, our transl).

This book, One Bread, One Body, helps us abide in God's word daily, which helps us hear God, have faith in Him, and have everlasting life. "These things have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through faith you may have life in His name" (Jn 20:31, our transl).

Receive God's word; hear God; have faith in Him; live with Him forever.

Prayer:  Father, use my faith to move mountain ranges. On this Right to Life Sunday, we pray in faith for all members of the Church to stand firm, attack the gates of hell, and overturn legalized abortion.

Promise:  "I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One that makes us strong, loving, and wise." —2 Tm 1:6-7

Praise:  "Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord Who made us. For He is our God" (Ps 95:6-7). Praise You, risen Lord!

Rescript:  ..

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.


Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, April 4, 1998


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 8, 1998