Consecrated from the Womb (Lk 1:15) by Alice Chapman

19 Dec Consecrated from the Womb (Lk 1:15) by Alice Chapman

“He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.” ~ Lk 1:15 (full readings)
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Alice’s Reflections:  Expectant parents spend many hours dreaming of what their child will be like; perhaps a little girl with pigtails or a boy with long legs like his Dad.  They might imagine what he or she will grow up to become; perhaps a doctor, an artist, or a teacher.  By the time their bundle of joy arrives, they may even think they have the child’s life all planned out!  But today’s reading reminds us that God has already chosen each one of us, even before we are conceived, for a special purpose.  God chose John for the important task of preparing the people of Israel for the coming of their Messiah.  Zechariah and Elizabeth couldn’t have imagined such a future for their son!  The fact that Elizabeth conceived a child at all in her advanced age was a miracle in itself.  But God had much more planned for them.  Just imagine what God the Father has planned for each and every child conceived in this world.  Whether the child will be raised by a loving couple who happily plan for such an amazing gift, or the child destined to be born to the frightened mother who doesn’t think she has the strength to raise a child by herself.  God has filled both of these children, and everyone like them, with his Holy Spirit, and like a loving Father, has created them for a unique purpose.  Every life lost to abortion is a dream and a plan unfulfilled.
* Alice is a public health officer in the U.S. Air Force and is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.  She and her husband Glenn have a son, Thomas..

Faith Challenge:  Take a few minutes today to reflect on your life’s purpose, what God has planned for you.  And if you’re not sure if you’re on the right path, ask Him for His grace and guidance to gently lead you there.

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:  St. Nemesius
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Faith Quote:  “I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.”  ~ Blessed Mother Teresa 
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Through Christ our Lord,
Alice
Jer 29:11-13