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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for August 20, 2019

"THE MIND OF CHRIST" (1 COR 2:16)

"Then who can be saved?" —Matthew 19:25

Jesus came that all people might be saved (1 Tm 2:4). His focus was on seeking and saving the lost (Lk 19:10), not satisfying His own needs.

We humans tend to focus on our needs and desires. Therefore, we need a new heart (Ez 36:26) and a new mind to do the work to which God has called us. Jesus gives us a clean, new heart (Ps 51:12) and He shares His mind with us, so we can "have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16). Then we can focus on God's priorities instead of our own needs.

For example, instead of spending our lives focused on accumulating money, we will focus on accumulating souls for the kingdom of heaven. Instead of spending our lives worrying about paying the bills, we focus on allowing God to provide for our genuine needs while we are occupied with doing His will and leading people into a new life in Christ.

God knows everything we need before we ask Him (Mt 6:32). He is not stingy, but exceedingly generous. He is just, and though He demands that we bear fruit for His kingdom, He will not fail to provide for and bless those who spend their lives working for His sake (see Heb 6:10). Therefore, set your mind on heaven, and the Lord of heaven. Focus not on your needs, but on His desires. He wants His house to be full (Lk 14:23). Give Him the present He desires, a rich harvest of souls.

PRAYER: Father, may my life testify to the world that I firmly believe that all things are possible with You (Mt 19:26).
PROMISE: "The Lord is with you, O champion!" –Jgs 6:12
PRAISE: St. Bernard of Clairvaux's achievements are too numerous to list. In the Latin West, he was truly the "Man of the Twelfth Century".

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College