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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for January 17, 2021

SLEEPY HEAD

"Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was." –1 Samuel 3:3

Will you sleep through 2021 or will you wake up and answer God's call? Many people, even religious people, will tell you to "go back to sleep" (1 Sm 3:5, 6). Instead, you should turn to God and say: "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening" (1 Sm 3:9).

2021 can be the greatest year of your life. "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor 2:9). Some of those reading this will die and go to heaven this year. Others may be just moments from hell unless they repent and turn to Jesus. Some will make the most important decisions and face the greatest challenges of their lives in 2021.

If we knew what will happen internationally in 2021, we would immediately fall on our knees in prayer. "That is why we read: ‘Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.' Keep careful watch over your conduct. Do not act like fools, but like thoughtful men. Make the most of the present opportunity, for these are evil days. Do not continue in ignorance but try to discern the will of the Lord" (Eph 5:14-17; cf Rm 13:11; 1 Thes 5:6).

PRAYER: Father, thank You for creating me to live for You in 2021.
PROMISE: "You must know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is within – the Spirit you have received from God. You are not your own. You have been purchased, and at a price. So, glorify God in your body." –1 Cor 6:19-20
PRAISE: "He will give a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of His glorified body, by His power to subject everything to Himself" (Phil 3:21). Praise the risen Jesus!

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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