break the world record
"Have no love for the world, nor the things that the world affords." —1 John 2:15
"If anyone loves the world, the Father's love has no place in him" (1 Jn 2:15). If we are set on the things of the world, we are enemies of the cross (Phil 3:18-19). "A man is marked out as God's enemy if he chooses to be the world's friend" (Jas 4:4). Therefore, it is a matter of everlasting life or death that we both have no love for the world and be crucified to the world and the world to us (Gal 6:14).
What does the Lord mean by the "world"? "Carnal allurements, enticements for the eye, the life of empty show — all these are from the world" (1 Jn 2:16). Another translation is: "The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world" (1 Jn 2:16, RSV-CE).
"Who, then, is conqueror of the world?" (1 Jn 5:5)
- "the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 Jn 5:5),
- the one who receives the Holy Spirit, Who proves the world wrong about sin, justice, and condemnation (Jn 16:8), and
- the one who is at the foot of the cross where the Spirit crucifies us to the world (see Gal 6:14).
"The world with its seductions is passing away but the man who does God's will endures forever" (1 Jn 2:17).
Prayer: Father, make me a light to the world of darkness (Mt 5:14).
Promise: "She was constantly in the temple, worshiping day and night in fasting and prayer. Coming on the scene at this moment, she gave thanks to God and talked about the Child to all." —Lk 2:37-38
Praise: Margaret quietly and obscurely prays before the Blessed Sacrament and in so doing is instrumental in calling down God's graces to change this world for the better.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 30, 2014
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