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Wednesday, July 31, 1996

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St. Ignatius Loyola


Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Psalm 59
Matthew 13:44-46

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the beginning, middle, and end of god's word

"When I found Your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart." —Jeremiah 15:16

Many of you reading One Bread, One Body have found God's word. It has become the joy and happiness of your hearts. Your initial experience of God's word has been sweet (see Rv 10:10; Ez 3:3).

Later, you will find that God's word is not only sweeter than honey (Ps 119:103) but also sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). Many people will hate you because the Lord has given you His word (Jn 17:14). You will feel alone and abandoned (Jer 15:17). You will be in continuous pain and seem incurably wounded (Jer 15:18). You will be tempted to turn away from the Lord and His word. You may even fall into this temptation and actually turn away from the Lord. However, the Lord promises: "If you repent, so that I restore you, in My presence you shall stand; if you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be My mouthpiece" (Jer 15:19).

In the end, if you keep living and proclaiming God's word, the Lord "will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent" (Jer 15:21). You will have victory through God's word. "In all this we are more than conquerors because of Him Who has loved us" (Rm 8:37).

Live, love, and share God's word in joy, suffering, and victory.

Prayer:  Father, may I be willing to die for You, Your truth, and Your love (see Sir 4:28).

Promise:  "When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it." —Mt 13:46

Praise:  Ignatius founded the Jesuit order. His work bore such fruit that, in his own lifetime, the Jesuits grew to over one thousand priests.

Reference:  (We have a number of Bible reading plans as well as Simple Reading Guides to each book of the Bible. Pray about ordering these to grow in God's word.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 29, 1995


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 4, 1995