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Saturday, June 16, 2012

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Immaculate Heart of Mary


1 Kings 19:19-21
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-10
Matthew 5:33-37
or Luke 2:41-51

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"make disciples" (mt 28:19)

"Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant." —1 Kings 19:21

Elijah lived a very eventful life. He called down fire from heaven three times, worked miracles, raised the dead, and rocked the government (see Sir 48:1ff). Nevertheless, the most important event of Elijah's life may have been the calling of Elisha as his disciple (1 Kgs 19:19ff). The ramifications of this call to discipleship brought down the evil government of Ahab and Jezebel.

You also have many important events in your life. Yet none may be so important as making your children disciples of Jesus. God may have put you in a certain job for many years primarily to make a disciple of one fellow worker. The Lord may have placed you in a particular neighborhood to make disciples for Christ of one or more neighbors. Jesus' command that we both be and make disciples explains some of the surprises, joys, and sorrows of our lives. Shortly before Jesus' Ascension into heaven, the climactic moment of His life on earth, Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).

Discipleship was obviously the focus of Jesus' earthly life. Therefore, discipleship is also the goal of our lives.

Prayer:  Jesus, by Your grace I will be Your disciple. Mother Mary, give me the love in your Immaculate Heart so I will make disciples who disciple others.

Promise:  "Say, 'Yes' when you mean 'Yes' and 'No' when you mean 'No.' Anything beyond that is from the evil one." —Mt 5:37

Praise:  David prayed fervently to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for strength to overcome sexual temptations. He soon found himself deeply in love with the Lord and filled with the sense of being clean and holy.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Immaculate Heart of Mary on audio AV 19-1 or video V-19.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2012

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