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Monday, August 8, 2022

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St. Dominic


Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28
Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14
Matthew 17:22-27

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how could you!

“Above the firmament over their heads something like a throne could be seen, looking like sapphire. Upon it was seated, up above, One Who had the appearance of a man.” —Ezekiel 1:26

Ezekiel saw in a vision a stupendous, moving, multi-colored, fiery, angelic chariot (see Ez 1:15ff). Above this was the firmament, and above the firmament was a throne on which sat God surrounded by a rainbow in glory (Ez 1:28). God is far beyond anything we can imagine (see Is 55:8-9). He is transcendent and awesome.

Considering Who God is, we are shocked that God ever created us or has anything to do with us. We exclaim with the psalmist: “What is man that You should be mindful of him, or the son of man that You should care for him?” (Ps 8:5) Moreover, we are more than shocked at the fact that God not only cares about man but even became a man like us. Can you fathom the awesome God in Ezekiel’s vision being a Baby born in a stable at Bethlehem? How could the all-holy God humorously pay the temple tax with a coin from a fish’s mouth? (see Mt 17:27) How can the God of infinite majesty and power let Himself be hated, tortured, and nailed to a cross by His little creatures?

God’s nature is beyond words and images. Moreover, His Incarnation, the gift of Himself to us, should leave us trembling in awe and joy. Thank and worship the Lord forever for His Incarnation.

Prayer:  Father, may Your mercy leave me speechless and motivate me to give my life totally to You.

Promise:  “Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.” —Ez 1:28

Praise:  St. Dominic is the beloved founder of the Order of Preachers. He fought against the Albigensian heresy, which condemned the material world as an evil realm not created by God.

Reference:  

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 31, 2022"

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.