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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for July 19, 2007

SENT AND SENSIBILITY

"I AM sent me to you." –Exodus 3:14

Throughout Scripture and Church history, the Lord is constantly sending people out on His behalf. He begins the sending by first giving His messenger a deep, personal experience of worship. Moses (Ex 3:4), Isaiah (Is 6:1), Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:16), and Paul (Acts 22:8) are examples of this divine pattern. After God gives His messenger a sense of His personal, enduring love, He then changes their focus from their own unworthiness to His worthiness, gives them a commission, and sends them forth in power.

God's pattern of sending has taken its perfect form in the Mass, a word that means "sent." We begin with worship of God. We have an experience of God's love for us so personally that we receive Jesus into our own body in the Eucharist. Finally, we are sent forth to love and serve the Lord.

Devote yourself to the Mass. Attend Mass frequently, even daily if possible. Come to the eucharistic Jesus (Mt 11:28). Take the focus of your life off yourself and "fix your eyes on Jesus" (Heb 3:1). Jesus says: "As the Father has sent Me, so I send you" (Jn 20:21). Tell Him in response: "Here I am...send me!" (Is 6:8)

PRAYER: Jesus, do in me whatever You must so You can do through me whatever You will.
PROMISE: "Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for My yoke is easy and My burden light." –Mt 11:29-30
PRAISE: Dominic served God by evangelizing throughout a large midwest area by distributing One Bread, One Body.

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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