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Wednesday, February 8, 2023

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St. Jerome Emiliani
St. Josephine Bakhita


Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17
Psalm 104:1-2, 27-30
Mark 7:14-23

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cleaning is an “in-thing”

“What emerges from within a man, that and nothing else is what makes him impure.” —Mark 7:20

“All these evils come from within and render a man impure.” —Mark 7:23

The source of “acts of fornication, theft, murder, adulterous conduct, greed, maliciousness, deceit, sensuality, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, an obtuse spirit” (Mk 7:21-22) is the impurity inside us. Consequently, it is very important to be cleansed inside and to remain clean inside. This means that:

  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of God’s most precious gifts because of its cleansing power.
  • The penitential rite at the beginning of Mass is one of the more important moments of our day and life.
  • To hear God’s cleansing Word daily is even more necessary than to wash daily (see Eph 5:26; Jn 15:3).
  • Fasting, because of its cleansing power, should be highly valued.
  • The defilement from most TV programs and what we view on our handheld electronic devices is intolerable.
  • “Dirty language” and “dirty pictures” are aptly named and are worse than living in a garbage can.
  • The defilement from unforgiveness must be removed immediately (see Mt 5:25).

Be clean and stay clean — deep inside — and thus be free and holy (see Jn 8:36).

Prayer:  Father, whatever it takes, cleanse the temple of my heart (see Jn 2:15ff).

Promise:  “The Lord God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.” —Gn 2:7

Praise:  St. Jerome Emiliani dedicated his life to aiding the poor.

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 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.