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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

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St. Thomas Aquinas


Hebrews 10:11-18
Psalm 110
Mark 4:1-20

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finishing school

"Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins and took His seat forever at the right hand of God; now He waits until His enemies are placed beneath His feet." —Hebrews 10:12-13

Jesus has already won the ultimate victory over Satan, sin, death, hell, slavery, fear, etc. It's over. Jesus is victorious irreversibly. We don't have to wonder about the outcome. As Jesus said on Calvary: "It is finished" (Jn 19:30). All that's left is to mop up after Jesus' victory by placing His enemies beneath His feet (Heb 10:13).

We do this by first throwing ourselves at Jesus' feet in submission and adoration. In this way we join in Jesus' victory and refuse to believe the devil's lies or take his bribes. We hasten the day (2 Pt 3:12) when every knee, even Satan's, will bend before Jesus the Lord (Phil 2:10). He promises: "I am coming soon! I bring with Me the reward that will be given to each man as his conduct deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End!" (Rv 22:12-13)

Jesus is finished, and we'll be finished too, when we place ourselves and Jesus' enemies at His nail-scarred feet.

Prayer:  Jesus, I prostrate myself before You as did the wise men (Mt 2:11).

Promise:  "Those sown on good soil are the ones who listen to the word, take it to heart, and yield at thirty- and sixty- and a hundredfold." —Mk 4:20

Praise:  St. Thomas, perhaps the wisest and most prolific teacher in Church history, was praying before a crucifix near the end of his life. A voice asked Thomas what he wanted as the reward for all of his service to God. Thomas answered, "None but Yourself, O Lord."

Reference:  ("Seek First the Kingdom" is a retreat that helps you put your priorities in a "right order." Call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 to register for this retreat held in the Cincinnati area on Feb. 28th.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2008

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