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Thursday, August 3, 2023

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Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Matthew 13:47-53

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created to worship him forever

“On the first day of the first month of the second year the Dwelling was erected. It was Moses who erected the Dwelling.” —Exodus 40:17-18

The grand finale of the book of Exodus is the completion of the Dwelling, the place on earth where God was most powerfully and intimately present. The plagues led to the Exodus, leading to the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. This was followed by Moses’ reception of the divine Law on Mt. Sinai. This finally culminated in the construction of the Dwelling.

The goal of life is to enter into God’s presence most deeply and to worship Him forever in heaven. The plagues, miracles, and laws of our lives are not random. They are ordered to bring us into the holy of holies of God’s presence to worship Him. We exist “to praise His glory” (Eph 1:12).

Have you focused your life on worshipping God? Do you do “good deeds” and share what you have (Heb 13:16) so as to “continually offer God a sacrifice of praise”? (Heb 13:15) Have you offered “your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship”? (Rm 12:1) You are alive today to worship the Lord. Worship is the goal of your life and the essence of eternity at God’s throne in heaven. Worship Him “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23).

Prayer:  Father, more and more make the desire of my heart to worship You.

Promise:  “Angels will go out and separate the wicked from the just and hurl the wicked into the fiery furnace.” —Mt 13:49-50

Praise:  By the grace of God, Rachel returned to Confession after an absence of forty years.

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Evangelization and Worship, view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)

Rescript:  In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 2023

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.