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Wednesday, June 13, 2007

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St. Anthony of Padua


2 Corinthians 3:4-11
Psalm 99
Matthew 5:17-19

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future shock

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets." —Matthew 5:17

In our lifetime, we have seen more change than in the previous several centuries combined. We get the idea everything is changing. We even think God's revelation is changing and morality is now relative. But Jesus said: "Of this much I assure you: until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of a letter, shall be done away with until it all comes true" (Mt 5:18). God's word will stand unchanged.

Jesus promised: "The heavens and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass" (Lk 21:33). The psalmist stated: "Permanence is Your word's chief trait; each of Your just ordinances is everlasting" (Ps 119:160). Because God does not change, His word does not change. The Lord said: "Surely I, the Lord, do not change, nor do you cease to be sons of Jacob" (Mal 3:6).

In a world that's changing so traumatically, when "future shock" is an understatement, it's lifesaving to know that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:8). Alleluia!

Prayer:  Father, heal me of "future shock" and give me a clear mind and pure heart.

Promise:  "This great confidence in God is ours, through Christ." —2 Cor 3:4

Praise:  Joe's teenagers often misplace their articles. Joe uses this opportunity to pray with them, asking St. Anthony's intercession to find the object within five minutes. It rarely takes that long.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Hold Fast to the Faith on audio AV 71-1 or video V-71.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 22, 2007

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