Do Not be Afraid (Lk 12:4) by Chris Engelhart

16 Oct Do Not be Afraid (Lk 12:4) by Chris Engelhart

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.” ~ Lk 12:4 (full readings)
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Chris’ Reflections:  How often do I read the paper or on the computer a story of evil working in the world?  It’s everywhere: war, poverty, abortion, immorality, corruption.  It can be very overwhelming and upsetting for me at times.  What can we do?  Jesus’ message for us today is to not worry about fleeting things outside of us, but rather to have hope and confidence in His saving power over sin in our own lives.  It is good to be concerned, pray about, and even help in whatever small ways we can, to fight the evil in the world, but sometimes we can become trapped by worry and fear, and end up missing opportunities for growth ourselves.  These things outside of us cannot harm us as long as we continually choose to follow God’s will.  Instead of becoming too wrapped up in the big issues, let us focus on letting Jesus save us from the big or small sins we commit in our own lives, and entrust the salvation of the world to Our Savior.
* Chris Engelhart is a member of New York City LIFE Runners.  He works in telecommunications and volunteers with the Sisters of Life, including running nearly two miles of wiring for the Sisters’ phone system.  He enjoys going on pilgrimage with Frassati Fellowship young adults..

Faith Challenge:   If you read an upsetting news story today, pray about it and ask Jesus if there is some small way He can work through you today to improve a similar situation in your own life or that of a friend or loved one.

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. Gerard Majella
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Faith Quote:  “The media only writes about the sinners and the scandals, but that’s normal, because a tree that falls makes more noise than a forest that grows.” ~ Pope Francis

Through Christ our Lord,
Chris Engelhart
2 Cor 12:10