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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for November 20, 2023

AMONG OUR GREATEST NEEDS

"A blind man sat at the side of the road begging. Hearing a crowd go by the man asked, 'What is that?' The answer came that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by." –Luke 18:35-37

Imagine if you were color-blind and nearsighted with impaired peripheral vision. Could you see? Yes. Would you need healing of your vision? Absolutely. Likewise, we can see spiritually but "we see indistinctly, as in a mirror" (1 Cor 13:12). We should not let the fact that we have some vision keep us from crying out to Jesus for vision good enough to live His abundant life.

If we don't see God better in our spouse, what chance do we have to persevere in our wedding vows? If we don't see more deeply into God's plan, will we ever stop abortion? Until we see with the eyes of our hearts (Eph 1:18) our Eucharistic Lord under the appearances of bread and wine, we will not center our lives to be in communion and go to Communion. This is severe self-deprivation.

Some of us have spent thousands of dollars so that we can see better physically. We have glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals, contacts, eye drops, and laser surgery to improve our sight physically. It is much more important to see better spiritually. Consequently, cry out to Jesus "all the more, ‘Son of David, have pity on me!' " (Lk 18:39) Pray to Jesus: "Lord, I want to see" (see Lk 18:41).

PRAYER: Father, may I follow Your orders exactly so that I will see rightly.
PROMISE: "Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me Your law I have not forgotten." –Ps 119:61
PRAISE: Martin forgave his ex-wife for her unfaithfulness. As she lay on her deathbed, he sat by her side, encouraging her to trust in God and receive His peace.

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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