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Monday, February 11, 2013

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Our Lady of Lourdes


Genesis 1:1-19
Psalm 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35
Mark 6:53-56

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"the word of life" (1 john 1:1)

"In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth..." —Genesis 1:1

To change a formless wasteland and a dark abyss into paradise, to change chaos into creation, "God said, 'Let there be light' " (Gn 1:2-3). To transform your dark wasteland and begin a new creation in your life, the Lord will use the light of His Word (see Ps 119:105).

After God created the light, He separated it from the darkness (Gn 1:4, 18). He also separated the waters (Gn 1:6) and separated the sea from the earth (Gn 1:9). Several separations were part of God's work of creation. To re-create our lives, families, churches, and societies, the Lord will use His Word. Like a two-edged sword, God's Word will separate bone from marrow and soul from spirit (Heb 4:12). These separations will replace confusion with clarity. We will no longer be mixed up and self-deceived, for the Word of God will judge the thoughts and reflections of our hearts (Heb 4:12). Then we will repent and replace the dark abyss of sin with the harmony of paradise.

The world was created by God's Word; we also are re-created by God's Word (see Ps 33:6; 1 Pt 1:23). Receive God's Word. Receive re-creation.

Prayer:  Father, may the light of Your Word burn in my heart (see Lk 24:32). May those who read and share One Bread, One Body be new creations and co-creators with You.

Promise:  "All who touched Him got well." —Mk 6:56

Praise:  By wondrously providing for the trip, Our Lady of Lourdes built up Robert's faith even before he and his ill wife visited Lourdes.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 13, 2012

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