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Friday, June 28, 2024

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St. Irenaeus


2 Kings 25:1-12
Psalm 137:1-6
Matthew 8:1-4

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the sight for sore eyes

“He had Zedekiah’s sons slain before his eyes. Then he blinded Zedekiah.” —2 Kings 25:7

Spiritually, many people go blind after seeing the worst sight of their lives. For example, if a husband sees his wife committing adultery, he will naturally be inclined to hate her. If the husband gives in to this hatred, anger, and bitterness instead of turning to the Lord and receiving the miracle of forgiving his wife, the husband will begin to lose his spiritual sight. He will be blinded by the darkness (1 Jn 2:11).

We all have seen things that almost make us not want to see again. When we are in danger of becoming spiritually blinded by sin and the god of the present age (2 Cor 4:4), we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the Beginning and the End of our faith (see Heb 12:2; Rv 22:13). Jesus alone is the “Sight for sore eyes” Who heals us. Jesus alone wipes away every tear from our eyes (Rv 7:17). Jesus alone makes the blind see.

If you have seen such sin and injustice that it seems too painful to see again, “see Jesus crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death” (Heb 2:9). “See, He comes amid the clouds! Every eye shall see Him, even of those who pierced Him” (Rv 1:7). We are blessed to be able to see Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. “Gaze on the loveliness of the Lord” (Ps 27:4).

Prayer:  “Lord...I want to see” (Lk 18:41), so I can see You face to face (1 Cor 13:12).

Promise:  “Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him and said, ‘I do will it. Be cured.’ ” —Mt 8:3

Praise:  St. Irenaeus was declared to be a Doctor of the Church in 2022. St. Irenaeus, pray for us.

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 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 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.