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Monday, November 3, 2014

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St. Martin de Porres


Philippians 2:1-4
Psalm 131:1-3
Luke 14:12-14

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no more mind-games

"Make my joy complete by your unanimity, possessing the one love, united in spirit and ideals." —Philippians 2:2

To be united in marriage, family, and church, we must be of one mind (Acts 4:32; Phil 2:2 in the Greek). We all instinctively realize this, so we try to change others' minds to make them like ours. This doesn't work. In fact, when we realize that someone is trying to change our minds, we often rebel and become even more disunited.

There is one way by which we can be of one mind. We can agree to change our minds and "have this mind" among ourselves "which was in Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5, RSV-CE). If you and I are of one mind with Christ, we are of one mind with each other. We are united in Christ.

When we are of one mind with Christ and other Christians, we, like Christ, come to serve rather than to be served (Mt 20:28). We look "to others' interests rather than" our own (Phil 2:4). This deepens our unity with Christ and others. As we discover the depths of love in the mind of Christ, we become one as the Holy Trinity is one (see Jn 17:21).

Prayer:  Father, I will mind You.

Promise:  "You will be repaid in the resurrection of the just." —Lk 14:14

Praise:  St. Martin de Porres persevered in his ministry as a caretaker and janitor in the monastery, all the while performing many healings and miracles.

Reference:  (Increase your faith every day by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each book of the Bible is thirty-two audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or seventeen video tapes starting with V-21.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 24, 2014

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