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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

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Our Lady of Lourdes


1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
Psalm 84:3-5, 10, 11
Mark 7:1-13

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can it be?

"My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." —Psalm 84:3

Solomon, the wisest man in the world, was shocked that God would dwell in the Temple. He questioned: "Can it indeed be that God dwells among men on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain You, how much less this temple which I have built!" (1 Kgs 8:27) Imagine what Solomon's reaction would have been had he known that God became man and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). How even more astounding that the incarnate God lives within those who have been baptized in His name! (see Rm 6:3) And there's even more: the incarnate, indwelling God gives us His body and blood under the appearances of bread and wine! (see Mt 26:26ff)

We are so overwhelmed by the Lord's Incarnation that we recall this event every morning, noon, and evening when we pray the Angelus. We are so amazed at the incarnate Lord's gift of Himself to us in the Eucharist that we receive Holy Communion daily or as often as possible. We center our lives on our incarnate, indwelling, eucharistic Lord. This is the reason for this book, One Bread, One Body. We teach on the daily eucharistic readings to encourage you to go to Mass daily or as often as possible and live the Eucharist to the fullest.

God is a Man. God is in you. The eucharistic Lord looks like bread and wine. We can receive the body and blood of God. Astounding! True! Amazing! Thank You, Lord!

Prayer:  Father, may I believe so strongly in Your eucharistic presence that I will live and die for You.

Promise:  "I had rather one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere." —Ps 84:11

Praise:  Through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, Barbara received comfort and relief during her difficult pregnancy.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 8, 2013

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