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Thursday, December 3, 2015

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St. Francis Xavier


Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
Matthew 7:21, 24-27

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united nations?

"A nation of firm purpose You keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in You." —Isaiah 26:3

The twelve tribes of Israel entered the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the desert. The tribes remained united until after the death of Solomon, when the tribe of Judah remained true to the Israelite covenant and the other tribes "seceded" from the Israelite covenant, set up idolatrous worship, and formed the Northern Kingdom, also known as "Israel" or "Samaria." The seceded tribes fell further into sin and idolatry, despite continued warnings from prophet after prophet (see 2 Kgs 17:13). Finally, their rebellion led them so far from God's protection that the sinful Northern Kingdom was conquered, never to exist again.

A nation that was united fell into disunity because of sin, hardheartedness, and blocking the true God out of their daily life. Could many nations today be following a similar path? God is banned from schools and many workplaces. There are serious divisions. God has sent many prophets to these nations, but there remains great rebellion against His prophets.

"A nation of firm purpose You keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in You" (Is 26:3). In the U.S.A., the currency proclaims "In God we trust." Do its people share the same trust? Will the people of the United States and other nations repent and trust in God? Will they unite to be "indivisible, under God," or will these nations follow the path of the twelve tribes of Israel to disintegration and defeat? Repent now!

Prayer:  Father, may we not neglect the lessons You teach us in Scripture. Grant us hearts that are humble, contrite, and faithful.

Promise:  "Anyone who hears My words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock." —Mt 7:24

Praise:  St. Francis Xavier, in the course of ten years, evangelized much of the Far East making an extraordinary number of converts.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2015

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