01 Aug Spirit of Joy (Jeremiah 15:10, 16-18) by Bonnie Sabin
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“[I am] a man of strife and contention to all the land!…Because I bore Your name…Because You filled me with indignation. Why is my pain continuous…?” ~ Jeremiah15:10, 16-18 (full readings)
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Bonnie’s Reflections: Like Jeremiah, we pro-lifers experience strife, contention, and indignation nearly every day as we interact with the mainstream news or entertainment media, and even in conversations with family or friends. As foretold in Humane Vitae (1968, par 17), there has been “a general lowering of moral standards” in society. The prevailing culture that surrounds us, the culture of death, has become coarse indeed. We may feel overwhelmed by immense responsibility as members of the Church, including the duty “of proclaiming humbly but firmly the entire moral law, both natural and evangelical” and “contributing to the creation of a truly human civilization” (Humanae Vitae, par 18). These are onerous times in which we live. Are you glad to be here and now? Yes! In spite of everything, God’s Word is “my joy and the happiness of my heart” (Jer 15:16). I say this again and again: authentic pro-lifers are to have a characteristic spirit of joy. “This spirit of serene confidence in God can give us a constant readiness for public witness and a passion for justice” (Lay Missionaries of the Gospel of Life—The Virtues).
*Bonnie Sabin is a coordinator for the Life Ministry and Faith and Justice Committees at St. Catherine Laboure Parish in St. Louis. She is preparing to join the Lay Missionaries of the Gospel of Life-Priests for Life. She and her husband, Ed, have five grown children.
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Faith Challenge: We are to be prophetic in our own times, but aware of our own sins, failings, and smallness. God promises, “If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand. .. You shall be my mouthpiece” (Jer 15:19). “Therefore we can have a deep compassion for and solidarity with our sisters and brothers who have become involved in or affected by abortion” (Missionaries of the Gospel of Life—The Virtues).
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Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,Vatican, Project Rachel.
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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.
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Feast Day: St. Alphonsus Ligouri.
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Faith Quote: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice!” ~Philippians 4:4. Or, as in another translation: “Rejoice evermore!”
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Rejoicing in the victory of Christ,
Bonnie
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* 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 families): Abortion (images) is #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.