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Sunday, July 1, 2018

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13th Sunday Ordinary Time


Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
Mark 5:21-43

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the good news, not the bad news

"Jesus disregarded the report that had been brought." —Mark 5:36<br> "He put them all out." —Mark 5:40

Jesus refused to listen to humanity's interpretation of an event. He put the naysayers out of the room. He disregarded the news that was reported of a girl's death. Jesus saw beyond the externals and looked at the heart of the matter (see 1 Sm 16:7).

Like Jesus, refuse to allow the world's messengers to force-feed you with what they consider newsworthy. Rather, make the Good News your home (see Jn 8:31-32). Don't let the bad news of this world reported by the mega-media conglomerates form and shape you. Be formed and transformed by the gospel, the Good News. Then, form the world through your transformed life.

Transform the bad news into the Good News by praying the news. Jesus spent far more time listening to His Father than to the newscasters. We must do the same. Immerse yourself in the Gospels and "believe the Good News" (see Mk 1:14-15).

Prayer:  Father, may I fix my eyes constantly on Jesus (Heb 3:1; 12:2).

Promise:  "You changed my mourning into dancing; you took off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness." —Ps 30:12

Praise:  Praise the risen Jesus, the only Way to the Father (Jn 14:6) and the One Who baptizes us in the Spirit! (Mk 1:8)

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

(Are you looking for a way to get closer to the Lord? Plan to attend one of our fall retreats. Make presentationministries.com one of your favorite websites and check the retreats tab to see all upcoming retreats. Our Retreat Center is located in beautiful Adams County, Ohio. See our website for pictures and information.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 27, 2018

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