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Tuesday, February 7, 2023

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Genesis 1:20—2:4
Psalm 8:4-9
Mark 7:1-13

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new creations (part 2)

“God created.” —Genesis 1:27

On the threshold of Lent, we pray for a new springtime in the Spirit resulting in new creations. The Lord continues to create through His Spirit, Word, and light.

In God’s light, we see the “formless wasteland” (see Gn 1:2) of our lives. We see the need to establish God’s order, harmony, shalom. Accordingly, we begin to separate things in our life, just as God separated the light from the darkness (Gn 1:4), the waters above from the waters below (Gn 1:7), and the land from the sea (Gn 1:9). A re-ordering is necessary for re-creations and new creations. We must “come out from among them and separate [ourselves] from them” (2 Cor 6:17); that is, we must separate from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (see 1 Jn 2:16, RSV-CE). We must separate from the ways of the world, for Jesus has chosen us out of the world (Jn 15:19). In the darkness of the world, the growth of God’s creations is stifled.

Additionally, for God to create anew in our lives, we must “be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Gn 1:28). We must bear fruit for God’s kingdom by sharing our faith and leading others to new life in Christ. If we don’t co-create with God by sowing the seed of God’s Word, then we don’t want and don’t receive God’s new creations that much.

This Lent, be separated from the world and fruitful in the Spirit. Be newly created and creative.

Prayer:  Father, create in me a creative spirit.

Promise:  “God created man in His image; in the divine image He created him; male and female He created them.” —Gn 1:27

Praise:  Fr. Charles developed a free Bible school so everyone could train in holiness.

Reference:  (We offer a retreat for lay people Feb. 17-18 in the Cincinnati area, Discovering the Essential Role of the Lay Person in God’s Plan of Salvation. The Church and the world need us to do our part to bring about the Kingdom of God. Call 937-587-5464, 513-373-2397 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 15, 2022"

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.