John 20:16 (gazing into…)

Let’s welcome God every morning by reflecting on this short Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which is based on Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned to Him and said in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. John 20:16 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: “Mary didn’t recognize the resurrected Jesus until He spoke her name. Perhaps it was the loving tone of His voice that enabled her to recognize who He was. She had known Him through His extraordinary love during His lifetime on earth. And it was His continuing love that enabled her to recognize Him after His resurrection. We, too, can recognize Jesus in the love He shows for us. In our quiet moments, we sometimes sense His presence within our hearts. In our confused moments, we eventually experience His caring guidance for the decisions we need to make. In our grateful moments, we discover how abundantly we are blessed. Lord, may I recognize You by the many ways in which You show Your love.” by Fr. Kenneth E. Grabner (author of “Gazing Into God’s Open Heart: 101 Pathways To Joy”)

Faith Challenge: Let’s challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Let’s take a few minutes in a quiet place to “gaze into God’s open heart.” We will be surprised by joy!

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: Stephanie Spader shared…”There is going to be a pro-life web cast on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at www.stoptheabortionmandate.com to educate and call people to action on this issue.”

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 (for my niece, Kelly, whose baby died in her womb)

Feast Day: St Mary Magdalene

Faith Quote: “God’s pardon is given freely [Jn 8:11], but the person is invited to respond with a serious commitment to renewal of life… So God’s love is acted out in a continual offer of pardon.” John Paul II

Through Christ our Lord,
Pat

Phil 4:13

* 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.