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Thursday, August 21, 2014

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Pope St. Pius X


Ezekiel 36:23-28
Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19
Matthew 22:1-14

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clothes lines

"How is it you came in here not properly dressed?" —Matthew 22:12

Are you properly dressed for the wedding feast of heaven? We must clothe ourselves with Christ (Gal 3:27). We must "put on a new man, one who grows in knowledge as he is formed anew in the image of his Creator" (Col 3:10). We are to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh" (Rm 13:14).

By the Holy Spirit, we "are clothed with power from on high" (Lk 24:49). In the Spirit, we clothe ourselves with humility in our relationships (1 Pt 5:5). Also, we clothe ourselves "with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (Col 3:12).

Our heavenly habitation will envelop us, "provided we are found clothed and not naked" (2 Cor 5:2-3). "Happy the man who stays wide awake and fully clothed for fear of going naked and exposed for all to see!" (Rv 16:15) "For this is the wedding day of the Lamb; His bride has prepared herself for the wedding. She has been given a dress to wear made of finest linen, brilliant white. (The linen dress is the virtuous deeds of God's saints.)" (Rv 19:7-8)

Prayer:  Father, may my baptismal garment become a heavenly wedding garment.

Promise:  "I will give you a new heart and place a new Spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put My Spirit within you." —Ez 36:26-27

Praise:  Pope St. Pius X combated selfishness by encouraging frequent Communion and by allowing that privilege to the children of the Church.

Reference:  (Help others pray the Bible by being a Bible teacher. For encouragement, order our tapes on the Bible Teachers Series. Our six-tape audio series starts with AV 117-1. Our three-part video series starts with V-117.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 19, 2014

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