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Monday, July 5, 2021

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St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria St. Elizabeth of Portugal


Genesis 28:10-22
Psalm 91:1-4, 14-15
Matthew 9:18-26

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“funeral-home faith”

“Jesus turned around and saw her and said, ‘Courage, daughter! Your faith has restored you to health.’ That very moment the woman got well.” —Matthew 9:22

The Lord wants to inspire us to greater faith through the example of the synagogue leader and the hemorrhaging woman. The synagogue leader showed great faith in Jesus. His daughter was dead, so he did not ask Jesus to heal her but to raise her from the dead (Mt 9:18). Before Jesus raised the girl from the dead, a woman hemorrhaging for twelve years expressed her faith in Jesus by touching the tassel of His cloak. By her faith, she was healed (Mt 9:22).

Do you believe Jesus can and does raise the dead — not just at the end of the world but right now? Do you believe Jesus will heal you of a malady you’ve had for years, even twelve years or more? Do you believe the Lord will heal immediately? Do you believe signs and wonders you did not believe last year? Are you growing in faith, breaking new ground, and moving mountains? (Mt 17:20)

Our faith in Jesus is not fully developed. We have light-years of growth in faith remaining even after having already grown light-years. “Faith, then, comes through hearing, and what is heard is the word of Christ” (Rm 10:17). Welcome His Word (Jas 1:21). Hear the Lord (see Mt 17:5). Grow in faith.

Prayer:  Father, increase my faith daily (Lk 17:5).

Promise:  “In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing. Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you.” —Gn 28:14-15

Praise:  St. Anthony Mary was an early advocate of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. He also encouraged pious innovations, recommending frequent reception of Holy Communion.

Reference:  

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021. Reverend Steve J Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 20, 2021"

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.