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Tuesday, November 22, 2005

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St. Cecilia


Daniel 2:31-45
Daniel 3:57-61
Luke 21:5-11

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"But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." —Daniel 2:35

We get the false impression that our governments, dynasties, and human institutions are invincible. We are impressed by military might and nuclear power. We think something that has lasted a few hundred years is impregnable (Ps 90:4).

The Lord has released a rolling stone down the lane of human history, already bowling over the governmental, financial, and institutional pins of planet earth. Jesus is that Stone rejected by the builders (Ps 118:22). "That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain without a hand being put to it, which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold. The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future" (Dn 2:45).

Jesus is the rolling Stone that is the Keystone of the structure (Ps 118:22). He "is likewise 'an Obstacle and a stumbling Stone.' Those who stumble and fall are the disbelievers in God's word" (1 Pt 2:8). "The man who falls upon that Stone will be smashed to bits; and he on whom It falls will be crushed" (Mt 21:44).

Are you with the cosmic Bowler, our heavenly Father, and Jesus, the rolling Stone, or are you with the pins? It's the tenth frame, and the Lord needs one more strike for a perfect game. Accept Jesus.

Prayer:  Jesus, may I roll with You rather than rock with the pins. I accept You as Lord.

Promise:  People "were speaking of how the temple was adorned with precious stones and votive offerings. He said, 'These things you are contemplating — the day will come when not one stone will be left on another, but it will all be torn down.' " —Lk 21:5-6

Praise:  St. Cecilia was "the most perfect model of the Christian woman because of her virginity and the martyrdom which she suffered for love of Christ."

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 21, 2005

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