07 Mar Psalm 31:14 (“plotting to take my life”) by Peggy Bowes
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
“I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side, as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.” ~ Psalm 31:14 (full readings)
Peggy’s Reflections: When I read those words from today’s Responsorial Psalm, I felt a chill go down my spine as I imagined a tiny, helpless baby thinking these thoughts inside his mother’s womb. Instead of whispers of love and tenderness, he hears the admonitions of family, friends and strangers who want his mother to “just take care of it quickly” as if he is just a thing and not a living person created in the image and likeness of God. Yet Psalm 31 foretells the words Jesus will say on the cross, just before His death, “Into your hands I commend my spirit” Psalm 31:6. These tiny babies are united to Jesus on the cross in their suffering and death. Their brief lives have meaning, defying the lies told by those who support and encourage abortion. I encourage you to prayerfully read all of Psalm 31 sometime today as it is a beautiful poem of lament that is strengthened by hope and trust in God.
* Peggy Bowes is a wife/mother, freelance writer, Catholic fitness expert, and former Air Force instructor pilot. She is an author (The Rosary Workout and Tending the Temple) and has been a guest on EWTN’s The Journey Home.
Faith Challenge: Can you take part in your local 40 Days for Life campaign by praying in front of an abortion center this week? If you are unable to participate physically, then please pray a Rosary for an end to abortion.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed & Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Feast Day: Saints Perpetua and Felicity were African mothers who were martyred for their faith in the early third century. St. Perpetua kept a diary of the events leading to her death which was finished by an eyewitness. Both women are honored in the Roman Canon of the Mass during Eucharistic Prayer I. “It shall happen as God shall choose, for assuredly we depend not on our own power but on the power of God” St. Perpetua.
Faith Quote: “Sometimes it may seem to us that there is no purpose in our lives, that going day after day for years to this office or that school or factory is nothing else but waste and weariness. But it may be that God has sent us there because but for us, Christ would not be there. If our being there means that Christ is there, that alone makes it worthwhile.” ~ Caryll Houselander, Reed of God
Through Christ Our Lord,
Peggy
Matt 11:28
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (and families): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.