signed, sealed, and delivered
“Pass through the city [through Jerusalem] and mark an X on the foreheads of those who moan and groan over all the abominations that are practiced within it.” —Ezekiel 9:4
The Lord destroyed the idolators of Jerusalem. Only those marked with a cross-like figure on their foreheads were spared (Ez 9:6). This was a prefigurement of the end of the world. Only those with the seal of the Lamb of God will be saved (Rv 7:3). Those with the mark of the beast (Rv 13:17) will be damned.
We can receive the seal of the Lamb of God only by being baptized into Jesus and faithfully living that immersion into Him. This entails:
• washing our robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rv 7:14),
• accepting the grace of salvation in Jesus through faith and living a life of the good works the Lord has prepared for each of us (Eph 2:8-10; cf Heb 13:21), and
• confessing with our lips that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that He is risen from the dead (Rm 10:9).
These are a few ways of expressing the richness of our salvation.
When you were baptized, you were probably signed with the sign of the cross. This symbolizes the fullness of salvation. If you live the meaning of the sign of the cross, you will be saved and live in the love of Jesus forever. Live the cross.
Prayer: Father, may the central priority of my life be to accept Your Son, Jesus, as my Lord, Savior, and God.
Promise: “Again I tell you, if two of you join your voices on earth to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you by My Father in heaven. Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst.” —Mt 18:19-20
Praise: St. Jane Frances lived an eventful life as wife and mother. As a grieving widow, she met St. Francis de Sales. Through God’s providence and aided by Francis, she founded the Visitation nuns.
Reference:
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.