Live Your Faith (Lk 12:51) by Kevin McNicholas

22 Oct Live Your Faith (Lk 12:51) by Kevin McNicholas

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”  ~ Lk 12:51 (full readings)
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Kevin’s Reflections:  That is very true! Jesus is probably the most divisive figure in history, though maybe not the way most people would think. In the Gospels, Jesus references many times the fact that He will be the cause of division, and this is immediately evident in terms of how the pro-life movement has been so persecuted in America and worldwide, to reference just one example. St. John Paul II, whose feast day it is today, is a personal hero of mine, and our son Jeremiah’s Patron Saint. He demonstrated such courage, such heroic virtue in following God during so many times that it appeared that the whole world was against him (the fall of Communism in Poland, the reunification of Germany, the abuse scandals to name just a few). He lived his Faith daily, and now bears the title of Saint, one who is in Heaven. I have known many people who term themselves “atheist” or “agnostic” who had no real experience with Christianity, other than what they saw misrepresented in the media, or demonstrated by people who termed themselves “Christians,” but did not truly represent the Faith in their daily lives. The devil “believes” in God. What do we need to do to go past mere “believing” and bring our Faith in God to the next level of truly living what it is that we profess to believe? I may well be the only Christian someone meets today. What is that person going to take away from their exchange with me? Everyone is entitled to a rough day here and there, but my attitude and demeanor is going to speak volumes about my relationship with God. Today I am going to pray for the courage to live my Faith with my actions and in my words.
* Kevin is a School Social Worker in Southern Illinois. He and his wife Laura have been blessed with two living miracles: a 3 year old daughter named Elliana (“the Lord Answers”) and a 1 1/2 year old son named Jeremiah (“God is Exalted”), and one miracle now in Heaven, may our baby Jordan (8.12.15 – 9.3.15) rest in peace. They have also been blessed during the 9 1/2 years of their marriage to be able to visit Catholic pilgrimage sites worldwide, as well as to serve their Parish and community..

Faith Challenge:   Pray for the courage to follow God wherever He leads you today. Chances are it will not be where you expect to be led, and that likely means you are following His Will for you! He surprises us often!

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. John Paul II
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Faith Quote:  “Do not be afraid! Open the doors to Christ!” ~ St. John Paul II

Through Christ our Lord,
Kevin McNicholas
Lk 1:37