Exodus 14:28 (the faithful love of God)

As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh’s whole army which had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not a single one of them escaped. Exodus 14:28 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: “To be sure, not every story in the Bible harmonizes with my preferred image of a gentle God. But violent as it is, this tale is still a love story. God’s love for his chosen people is ferocious and one-sided. God is the mother lion, lashing out to protect her cubs, ready to tear limb from limb any creature that would harm them. How surprising to think that God could love with such intensity. How humbling to think that God could love me like that.” by Karla Manternach

Rich’s comments: In studying the Theology of the Body, I have learned that God’s love is faithful, total, fruitful, and unconditional. The faithfulness of God’s love is revealed to us today in Scripture. God is faithful to His people, and we are called to follow God’s will and be faithful in return.

Faith Challenge: Let’s challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.

* NEW: How do you portray God’s love in your life? Is your love for others faithful, total, fruitful, and unconditional?

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life

* Let’s never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images)…#1 cause of death in America. Let’s courageously share ProLife Truth (John 14:6) to create social tension for exposing abortion’s unjust peace…rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16) and setting the unborn free!

* NEW: Learn about Theology of the Body and its life-transforming message of hope; a message that counteracts societal trends which urge us to view the body as an object of pleasure or as a machine for manipulation.

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas in footnote below.

* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions, Stephanie Spader (for a family with unexpected pregnancy), Rob Rysavy (for a coworker’s wife who is battling an illness), Carol Nesbit (Please pray for my niece, Kelly, whose baby died in her womb. Pray for healing for Kelly and her husband, Kenny, and their new angel baby in heaven.)

Feast Day: St. Lawrence of Brindisi

Faith Quote: “Don’t settle for less than the authentic expression and revelation of God’s faithful, total, fruitful, and unconditional love.” – Christopher West

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. ‘If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.’

* Fasting: Let’s fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).

* Defend the unborn: ‘Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die’ (Prov 24:11). ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). ‘It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish’ (Blessed Mother Teresa).

* Evangelization: Let’s make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of selfless love, mercy, and service.