a clean weep
“Begin to lament, to mourn, and to weep.” —James 4:9
“There is an appointed time for everything” (Eccl 3:1), including a “time to weep” (Eccl 3:4). Because of worldwide, unrepented sin, now is the time to weep. Let our “laughter be turned into mourning” (Jas 4:9). The Lord through His Church will command us again: “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to Me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning” (Jl 2:12).
There can be hope in tears, because “sorrow for God’s sake produces a repentance without regrets, leading to salvation, whereas worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Cor 7:10). “Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing” (Ps 126:5), for “there will likewise be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent” (Lk 15:7).
Today, let us make acts of contrition, that is, acts of sorrow and hatred for sin. There can be hope in weeping. Weep as Jesus wept (see Lk 19:41).
Prayer: Father, may I see sin as You do.
Promise: “Whoever welcomes a child such as this for My sake welcomes Me.” —Mk 9:37
Praise: St. Christopher Magallanes and his twenty-four Companions were martyred between 1915 and 1937 in eight separate Mexican states for their faithfulness to the Catholic Church.
Reference: (To help you with repentance, listen to, order or download on our website Sacrament of Reconciliation on CD 47A-3 or DVD 47A.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.