02 Mar Ezekiel 18:21 (Thoroughly Emptied)
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors schedule. LIFE Minute radio.
“But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die!” ~ Ezekiel 18:21 (full readings)
Steve’s Reflections: During this season of Lent the Church invites us to go deeper in our spiritual journey through sacrificial acts of fasting and almsgiving over a period of 40 days. This period of 40 days is an important Biblical number for transformation; it rained 40 days and 40 nights during the great flood, Noah waited another 40 days before exiting the Ark, Moses spent forty days on the mountain with God, the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, and Jesus spent 40 days on the earth following the Resurrection. This period of 40 days represents a time of trial and testing, but ends with a time of restoration. God is inviting each of us in these forty days of Lent to be sought after, probed, tested, chastised, and thoroughly emptied, so that we may more fully experience the glory of Jesus’ Resurrection. Like Moses, whose face shone after he came down from the mountain top with God, so we too are being prepared for a similar transformation. The more we enter into Lent the better prepared our house will be to receive our Resurrected Lord. Transformation. Restoration. Revival. Renewal.
Faith Challenge: How is your Lenten journey going? On Fridays, remember to fast from all meat, avoid eating between meals, and only eat one full meal. Offer these small sacrifices as a powerful prayer.
Sr. Francelle’s Devotion: Why Worry?
Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Feast Day: St. Agnes of Bohemia (d. 1282)
Faith Quote: “Have nothing to do with anyone who would stand in your way and would seek to turn you aside from fulfilling the vows which you have made to the Most High and from living in that perfection to which the Spirit of the Lord has called you.” ~ St. Agnes of Behemia
Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Rom 12:2
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (and family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.