mad at the mailman
“This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us.” —Jeremiah 26:16
God’s Word is a two-edged sword (Heb 4:12), which comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. When God’s Word and our wills cross, we are tempted to blame the teacher, preacher, pastor, or prophet. We blame the mail-carrier for the mail.
The Israelites did this to Jeremiah. He insisted that the Israelites argument wasn’t with him but with the Lord Who had sent him (Jer 26:15). The religious authorities of Jesus’ day confused the messengers with the message and put the apostles in prison (see Acts 5:17-18). Likewise, Herod and Herodias tried in vain to silence the Word by beheading John the Baptizer (Mt 14:10).However, “there is no chaining the word of God!” (2 Tm 2:9)
When we’re tempted to reject the messengers of God’s messages, we should take the advice of Gamaliel: “You will not be able to destroy them without fighting God Himself” (Acts 5:39).
Prayer: Father, may I listen to Your Word more than to the world.
Promise: “For the Lord hears the poor, and His own who are in bonds He spurns not.” —Ps 69:34
Praise: St. Alphonsus is a Doctor of the Church. He was a prolific author and also founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer for the salvation of the most abandoned souls (the Redemptorists). Pope Pius XII declared him patron of moral theologians.
Reference: (Be a messenger of God’s Word. For encouragement order, listen to, or download our How to Teach the Bible series on our website. It includes CD 117-1, CD 117-3, CD 118-1, CD 118-3, CD 119-1 and CD 119-3 or DVD 117, DVD 118 and DVD 119.) (An invitation to all single Catholics over 30: join us Aug 14-16 for a retreat focused on the Lay Single Vocation, held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Discipleship Center in Adams Co. Ohio. Visit www.presentationministries.com or email retreats@presentationministries.com for information.
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from August 1, through September 30, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 1, 2019"
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.