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Saturday, August 29, 2020

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Martyrdom of St. John the Baptizer


1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Psalm 33:12-13, 18-21
Mark 6:17-29 or Matthew 25:14-30

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sexual purity

“It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” —Mark 6:18

St. John the Baptizer called a sin a sin, a lie a lie, and adultery adultery. In a permissive, promiscuous society, where prime time TV is prime porn, it is not fashionable to speak of purity and sexual sin. Nowadays, if people are not aborting their children or spreading sexually transmitted diseases in “one-night stands,” we almost consider them “virtuous,” compared to others. Even the strictest have usually compromised their moral standards. If Grandma saw what is going on now, even in Christian circles, she wouldn’t believe it.
Let’s make a stand for sexual purity. “Stand up and tell them all I command you” (Jer 1:17). As with John the Baptist, the secular culture will arrest and even attempt to kill us, but it will not conquer us. “ ‘They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord” (Jer 1:19). The Lord says: “It is I this day Who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land” (Jer 1:18).
There will be a day when no Christians watch filth and turn their bodies, God’s temples, into garbage cans. There will be a day when all brides and grooms refuse to have sex before their wedding night. There will be a day when women can live without fear of rape. There will be a day when sexually transmitted diseases will be eradicated because of purity. Join the purity revolution today.

Prayer:  Jesus, may I be pure as You are pure (1 Jn 3:3).

Promise:  “The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him.” —Ps 33:18

Praise:  “I assure you, there is no man born of woman greater than John. Yet the least born into the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Lk 7:28). St. John, how can we rank above you? Pray for us!

Reference:  

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from August 1, through September 30, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 1, 2019"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.