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Thursday, October 14, 2010

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Pope St. Callistus I


Ephesians 1:1-10
Psalm 98:1-6
Luke 11:47-54

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"jesus, my lord, my god, my all"

"It is in Christ and through His blood that we have been redeemed and our sins forgiven." —Ephesians 1:7

We are given every spiritual blessing "in Christ" (Eph 1:3). We are chosen "in Him" (Eph 1:4). We were predestined to be God's children "through Christ Jesus" (Eph 1:5). The Father gives us His divine favor "in His Beloved" (Eph 1:6). We have been redeemed and our sins forgiven in Christ (Eph 1:7). The Father's plan of salvation was decreed "in Christ" (Eph 1:9). The plan is "to bring all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ's headship" (Eph 1:10). "Through Him, with Him, in Him," under Jesus and for Jesus all good things are.

Jesus is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through" Him (Jn 14:6). Apart from Him we "can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). Jesus Christ is "our only Master and Lord" (Jude 4). Jesus' name is the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). His name is above every other name. At His name every knee must bend and every tongue proclaim: "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!" (Phil 2:10-11)

Jesus alone can unseal the meaning of life (Rv 5:4-5). He is our only Hope, but the only hope we need. Jesus is the great I AM (Jn 8:58), the second Person of the Trinity. Jesus is God (Jn 20:28).

Prayer:  Jesus, if not for You...

Promise:  "The Lord has made His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice." —Ps 98:2

Praise:  Pope St. Callistus grew in faith as he passed from slave to prisoner to deacon to pope.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God or on audio AV 43-1 or video V-43.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 6, 2010

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