Courage and Hope (Jeremiah 29:11) by Diane Overmann

25 Feb Courage and Hope (Jeremiah 29:11) by Diane Overmann

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'” ~ Jer 29:11 (full readings)
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Diane’s Reflections:  Sometimes I find it difficult to live in the hope that the evils in our society will diminish.  There are so many abortions each day.  The number of violent deaths seem to dominate nightly news.  Here as I stand at the beginning of Lent reflecting on the Stations of the Cross, our loving Father presents me with Jonah.  We recall that Jonah was not filled with hope and passion for his task.  Yet, finally the people listened and changed.  What a challenge for me to continue to stand up for what is right with renewed hope.  What a challenge for me to admit to the evil within myself with hope that I will respond to Jesus this Lent.  The Gospel announces that Jesus with the Holy Spirit is wiser than Solomon.  I recall the voices of some third graders before Christmas when informed that some people don’t know Jesus.  In their simplicity they announced: “Well, we have to go tell them.”  So we have to continue to stand for what is right and against the evil of abortion and degrading of human life.  We have to believe that God wins over evil.  I have to belief that God will guide me to growth this Lent.
* Diane is the Director of Faith Formation at St. Clare Catholic School in O’Fallon, IL..

Faith Challenge:  In your imagination picture yourself with Jonah only walking through your neighborhood and streets announcing the call to repent.  Focus your imagination to see dramatic changes in laws and activities.

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. Tarasius
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Faith Quote:  “For the plans I have for you, says the Lord, they are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jer 29:11
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Through Christ our Lord,
Diane Overmann
Jer 29:11