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Thursday, June 20, 2024

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Sirach 48:1-14
Psalm 97:1-7
Matthew 6:7-15

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identification paper

“How awesome are you, Elijah! Whose glory is equal to yours?” —Sirach 48:4

Elijah was “awesome.” His specialty was bringing down fire from heaven (Sir 48:3). He began the process by which the wicked kingdom of Ahab and Jezebel was destroyed (see Sir 48:6; 1 Kgs 19:15ff). The mighty Elijah appropriately left this earth by being “enveloped in the whirlwind” (Sir 48:12).

We may think that Elijah is “out of our league.” Probably most of us are not often described as “awesome.” However, the Lord describes Elijah as “only a man” like the rest of us (Jas 5:17). In fact, we who are in Christ Jesus are not only like Elijah but greater (Mt 11:11, 14). Moreover, we who believe in Jesus are not only greater than Elijah, but we can do greater works than even Jesus did (Jn 14:12). We who live for Jesus are awesome, chosen, holy, royal, priestly, beloved children of God (see 1 Pt 2:9; 1 Jn 3:1), who even share in God’s divine nature (2 Pt 1:4).

Know yourself; be yourself; be new creations in Jesus (Gal 6:15).

Prayer:  Father, “what is man that You should be mindful of him?” (Ps 8:5)

Promise:  “Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us.” —Mt 6:11-12

Praise:  Ron witnessed about Jesus in his job interview. The interviewer accepted Jesus and hired Ron.

Reference:  (This can be the summer you get serious about knowing the Bible. How to Teach the Bible in the Power of the Holy Spirit will equip you with the tools, information, and blessings to teach the Bible. July 15-18 at the Guadalupe Discipleship Retreat Center. Call 513-373-2397 or www.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 June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 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.