When: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 12:00 AM to Thursday, January 17, 2008 12:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
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Words of Jesus
"I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
John 17:20-21
God has deemed it better to bring good out of evil than not to permit evil at all. — St. Augustine
Abba, Father, Lord God, thank you for today this day a chance to forgive, forget, love, hope, help and give. Days like this are truly a gift from You; days when we feel good enough about ourselves to think of others first and in doing so reflect the image of Jesus. O how I pray that through Jesus in the Spirit You would help me see, know and make everyday like today. St. Augustine's quote today reminds me of Joseph and how he spoke to his brothers about how they meant to harm him, but You meant it for good. And while the hardships Joseph endured were severe, You were with Him always and he in You. Today's readings also speak of the fact of faith; if we are to believe and practice that belief we can expect no more than that which all who have believed and practiced before, for when we believe we know that we are not of this world and cannot look to any man for counsel for as man in human form we are all plagued with the same flaws, but in You and through Christ Jesus we can find all we need to walk under the sun. And if we keep seeking, keep asking and keep praying we will have days like today and they will grow in number no matter what our state and condition. Thank You Lord God, thank You Jesus; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit I give thanks and pray – have mercy on us and on the whole world, Amen.
1 Corinthians 4:9-13</vbible/search.asp?abbr=_1Cor&ch=4&bv1=9&ev1=13>
9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off scouring of all things.
Psalm 126:1-6</vbible/search.asp?abbr=Ps&ch=126&bv1=1&ev1=6>
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb! 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! 6 He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Matthew 10:16-22</vbible/search.asp?abbr=Matt&ch=10&bv1=16&ev1=22>
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letter

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