21 Sep Healing Broken Hearts (Matt 9:12) by Rosemary Bernth
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors. LIFE Minute radio.
“He heard this and said, ‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.'” ~ Matt 9:12 (full readings)
Rosemary’s Reflections: A common phrase I heard growing up was “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The concept applies to doctor visits–there isn’t really a need to see one if you are healthy. Jesus uses this analogy in today’s Gospel to describe His purpose, which is to heal the broken hearts of sinners. This explains Jesus’ meetings with those the Pharisees frowned upon. If the world was perfect, we would not have the need for a savior. But our world is broken and surrounded by a culture of death. Sure it is nice to surround ourselves with other pro-lifers, but we are preaching to the choir if we choose to stay in our comfort zones. I don’t need to be convinced to choose life. It’s the young teenage mother comtemplating abortion. It’s the workers at Planned Parenthood and other “health” clinics. It’s the government politicians voting on laws that affect the unborn and their families. Jesus came to give sight to the blind, cure the deaf, and make the lame walk. He also healed their hearts by forgiving their sins. With His guidance, let us help others understand the evils of abortion and help families stand together.
*Rosemary Bernth (LIFE Runner) was a journalist for the Diocese of Sioux City’s newspaper and is now a writing/travel graduate student at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Faith Challenge: We are the Body of Christ–We are His feet that run towards those in need and the hands that hold them. How are you healing this world? Are you finding new patients or are you quarantining yourself in fear? Even if only one person’s heart is converted to Life, it is one less aching heart.
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Priests for Life, Vatican, Project Rachel.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Feast Day: St. Matthew
Faith Quote: “I’m touched by the idea that when we do things that are useful and helpful – collecting these shards of spirituality – that we may be helping to bring about a healing.” ~ Leonard Nimoy
Through Christ Our Lord,
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & 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 (& family): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & 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 & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Mt 28:19.