Lived Faith (Lk 8:21) by Kevin McNicholas

10 Nov Lived Faith (Lk 8:21) by Kevin McNicholas

“He said to His disciples ‘Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.’” ~ Lk 8:21 (full readings)
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Kevin’s Reflections:  I believe that Jesus is referring to everyone, not just parents in this statement!  In my daily life, even before we were blessed with children, I tried to be a good person, not gossip, and use courteous words and manners.  Now that Ellie is two, she picks up on EVERYTHING that goes on around her, and this Gospel becomes even more true for me, to watch everything I say and do, because she is watching me as well!  So many children are unfortunately led into sin by those around them, often parents or relatives who are well-intentioned, but misguided.  In direct opposition to this, examples in everyday life of lived Faith speak even louder than words.  Lived Faith takes courage, which only comes from God.  The world certainly can be a sinful place, and even before we had children of our own, I took this Gospel to mean that we have to set a positive example as Christians, because the world would love to tell all of us God-fearing people that we are hypocrites, that we don’t practice outside of Church what we profess within Church.  Christ’s response to that, of course, is the fact that we are the Church, each one of us, and He is within us and enlivens us with the Holy Spirit to combat sin.  Saints are those who we are sure are in Heaven because of their display of Heroic Virtue in their lives.  Today I am going to pray extra for the strength to display this same Virtue, to combat sin, and to provide an example of Christianity that is beyond reproach.  No one was ever argued into following God, but throughout time millions have converted based on the examples of those who “have gone before us marked with the sign of Faith.” May God grant us this grace.
* Kevin is a School Social Worker in Southern Illinois.  He and his wife Laura have been blessed with two miracles: a 2 year old daughter named Elliana (“the Lord Answers”) and a 7 month old son named Jeremiah (“God is Exalted”).  They have been blessed during the 8 years of their marriage to travel to Catholic pilgrimage sites worldwide, as well as to serve their Parish and community.
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Faith Challenge:  Pray for the Faith today to offer your life’s example as a living witness of pure Christianity.

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:  Saint Leo the Great
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Faith Quote:  “I am the Immaculate Conception.” ~ The Holy Mother to St. Bernadette
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Through Christ our Lord,
Kevin McNicholas
Lk 1:37