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Friday, January 8, 2021

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1 John 5:5-13
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
Luke 5:12-16

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the paraclete takes the witness stand

“It is the Spirit Who testifies to this, and the Spirit is Truth.” —1 John 5:6

On this fourteenth day of Christmas, our true Love, Jesus, gives us victory. We defeat the evil one “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of (our) testimony” (Rv 12:11), that is, our witness.

The water of Jesus’ Baptism and the blood of His death witness that He is the Son of God (1 Jn 5:6-8). However, these witnesses are not always understood or accepted. So the Spirit witnesses for these witnesses (1 Jn 5:6). He bears witness on  behalf of Jesus (Jn 15:26). “The Spirit Himself gives witness with our” spirits (Rm 8:16). Therefore, by the Holy Spirit, we believe that Jesus is God, for “no one can say: ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except in the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3). By the power of the Holy Spirit, we become witnesses for the risen Christ (Acts 1:8) and thereby conquer the world.

The Holy Spirit wants to rest on us (Lk 4:18) and make us witnesses for Jesus and more than conquerors (Rm 8:37). Listen “to the voice of the Spirit” (Toward the Third Millennium, Pope St. John Paul II, 48), and renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30).

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, cry out in my heart “Abba” (Gal 4:6).

Promise:  “Great crowds gathered to hear Him and to be cured of their maladies.” —Lk 5:15

Praise:  Louise has become a dedicated virgin, one of the few in her diocese, dedicated to her Bridegroom.

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 December 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 14, 2020"

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.