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Monday, August 21, 2000

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Pope St. Pius X


Ezekiel 24:15-24
Deuteronomy 32:18-21
Matthew 19:16-22

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abnormalities?

"That evening my wife died, and the next morning I did as I had been commanded." —Ezekiel 24:18

The Jewish people mourned the death of those they loved by crying and groaning, by taking off their turbans and sandals, by covering their beards, and by eating a special kind of bread (Ez 24:16-17). The Lord told Ezekiel not to do these customary things when his wife died. The Lord told Ezekiel not to react normally for the purpose of showing His people that they did not react normally to the desecration of their sanctuary and the destruction of their children (Ez 24:21).

Are you reacting normally to the massacre of more than nine million infants annually in the USA through surgical and chemical abortions? Are you reacting normally to the majority of Catholics being unfaithful in their commitments to the Lord and His Church? For example, significantly less than half of the Catholics in our society fulfill their obligation to attend Mass. What's your reaction to massive marital breakdown, the decimation of religious communities, and a spiritually anorexic Church? Do you have a reaction? Are you normal enough to cry, groan, repent, pray, act, evangelize, and do penance?

Prayer:  Father, restore me to normality.

Promise:  "Go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor. You will then have treasure in heaven. Afterward, come back and follow Me." —Mt 19:21

Praise:  Pope St. Pius X wrote in his will: "I was born poor. I have lived poor, and I wish to die poor."

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, March 8, 2000


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 9, 2000