14 Nov Sanctity of Life (Lk 17:12-13) by Jason Peters
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“As He was entering a village, ten lepers met [Him]. They stood at a distance from Him and raised their voice, saying, ‘Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!'” ~ Lk 17:12-13 (full readings)
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Jason’s Reflections: Driving to work on 15 Oct I went past the South Dakota State Penitentiary. Outside the granite walls were all of the local television stations broadcasting live for their morning news shows. The reason they were there? The State of South Dakota was executing a prisoner that had killed a guard during an attempted escape in 2011. In seeing the media there, my first thought was what would happen if the same media showed up outside the Planned Parenthood in Sioux Falls to broadcast details of the executions that happen there? I thought about the contrast shown by the media. I also thought about this contrast in my own life. As someone who believes in the sanctity of life, it’s often much easier to make the argument and take action to stand up for an innocent baby than it is to do the same thing for a criminal. Jesus shows us by caring for the lepers (people who were absolutely shunned in Jesus’ time) that we too must care for everyone…from conception to natural death.
* Jason Peters (LIFE Runner) is married to Deanna, and they have three children. Jason is the President of JMJ Caseworks in Sioux Falls, SD.
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Faith Challenge: Examine how you feel about the value of life in the womb vs. end-of-life issues (capital punishment, euthanasia, etc.). Do you have the same conviction?
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: St. Gertrude.
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Faith Quote: “The new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are unconditionally pro-life: who will proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of life in every situation. A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform. I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary.” ~ Pope John Paul II, St. Louis, MO, January 1999
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Through Christ our Lord,
Jason
* 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.