Answering the Call of the King (Lk 11:23) by John Sturm

27 Mar Answering the Call of the King (Lk 11:23) by John Sturm

“Whoever is not with me is against me.” ~ Lk 11:23 (full readings)
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John’s Reflections:  Jesus’ words of “hard love” cut very deeply to flush out the Pharisees’ evil intentions in front of the crowd that is still marveling at the miracle of Jesus casting out the demon.  In our struggles to promote Life it seems that every argument in support of the dignity of Life is countered with a deception that either denies Life really exists or rationalizes why my “needs” outweigh the Life of another (Utilitarianism).  However, if we are Running for Life on God’s team, there is no room for second guessing His commandments to respect Life in all forms–no exceptions for our convenience!  Only through full commitment to our Faith through Prayer & Sacrifice (i.e. Redemptive Running) can we join with God in casting out the evil of Abortion.
* John Sturm is a LIFE Runner, devotion author and Lay Member of the Visitation Monastery.  He and his wife Judy have three daughters, three grandchildren and live in St. Louis, MO.
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Faith Challenge:  Imagine yourself in the crowd with Jesus being wrongly accused of sorcery–would our conscience lead us to speak out on Jesus’ behalf and risk our reputation?  Pray that we might always speak out with Jesus so that, together, we drive the evil spirit of deception called abortion out of our culture.
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Counter-Culture News:  LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers:  Pray LIFE Runners Creed to end abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Blessed Francis Faà di Bruno – An Italian military officer that was ordained at the age of 51.  He established hostels for unwed mothers & prostitutes and their children.  He died in Turin in 1888, and was beatified 100 years later by Pope John Paul II.
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Faith Quote:  “I ask for the grace that I may be the kind of person who will hear when Jesus Christ the King summons me, that I will not be shy or hang back but rather be quick and persevering in following His lead.” ~ St. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits, saw himself as a noble knight standing before a great and good King, “two forces are at war, but it is within my own heart that the first battle of dark & light, lies & truth, evil & good is being fought.”  (Courtesy of Fr. Carl Dehne, S.J. and Joseph Milner – LIGHTWORKS, An experience of Ignatian Prayer)
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Through Christ Our Lord,
John