15 Dec Lk 7:27 (Prepare the Way of the Lord) by Fr. Joe Coffey
Welcome God now with this Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Authors schedule. LIFE Minute radio.
“Behold, I am sending my messengers ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.” ~ Lk 7:27 (full readings)
Fr. Joe’s Reflections: When I was in the seminary in Philadelphia, a group of seminarians would pray the Rosary every Friday afternoon across the street at a hospital that performed abortions. Sometimes people would curse at us, laugh at us, mock us. One day a man screamed at us, “Get a job!” How ironic yelling that to a bunch of men studying to be priests. I remember thinking, “Well, I guess this is my job…to pray for conversion, to publicly witness against the injustice of abortion, to stand up for the sanctity of all human life, especially the unborn child.” During Advent we hear a lot about John the Baptist. His job was to prepare the way of the Lord. His stand for Truth cost him his head. We may be mocked. We may be abused. We may someday even have to die for our faith. May God give us the courage and the grace to do his will no matter what the cost.
* Fr. Joe Coffey is a priest from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia now on active duty as a Navy Chaplain (video). He is stationed in St. Louis, MO as a Chaplain recruiter. When he’s not on the road, he can be found early on Saturday mornings, praying for Life at the local abortion mill.
Faith Challenge: Prepare to be mocked for your faith…Truth will set us free.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,Vatican, Project Rachel.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed and Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Feast Day: Blessed Mary Frances Shervier. The sick, the poor and the aged are in danger of being considered “useless” members of society and therefore ignored—or worse. Women and men motivated by the ideals of Mother Frances are needed if the God-given dignity and destiny of all people are to be respected.
Faith Quote: “This is the condition of the true Christian, who can nurture a trustful optimism, because he or she is certain of not walking alone. In sending us Jesus, the eternal Son-made-man, God has drawn near to each of us. In Christ, God has become our traveling companion.” ~ blessed John Paul II
Through Christ Our Lord,
Fr. Joe
* 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 reality…#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.