Love Thy Neighbor (Mk 12:31) by Dr. Pat Castle

06 Jun Love Thy Neighbor (Mk 12:31) by Dr. Pat Castle

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ~ Mark 12:31 (full readings)  .

Pat’s Reflections: God calls us to consider all 7 billion human beings as our neighbors and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Wow, that’s a lot of neighbors to love.  Start by serving (love) your family members and then together love those further from you.  With 35% of women having had an abortion and 22% of all pregnancies ending in abortion, there are many people who need healing support (love).  Start by volunteering some time (love) at your local pregnancy center.  If afforded the opportunity, help with a state, national, or international Pro-Life effort.  America is in a cultural battle for Life that impacts the whole world.  If America stops the killing of over 1 million citizens in the womb each year, other countries like Russia (double US rate) and China (triple US rate) could follow.  Furthermore, abortion-free countries like Ireland would be bolstered to stand up to the strong international pressure to legalize abortion (Irish vote in July).  My wife Angi and I had on our LIFE Runners “REMEMBER The Unborn, Jer 1:5” jerseys for the Cork City Ireland half Marathon on 3 June.  Angi, daughters Paige/Grace and Mom Kathy, and I will again wear our LIFE Runners jerseys for the National Vigil for Life in Dublin on 8 June.  This is a unique opportunity to love neighbors on many levels.  However, let’s not lose sight that Pro-Life will ultimately be won by loving our neighbors at the family level.  Start by serving/sacrificing (love) those neighbors within your reach.   
* Dr. Pat Castle is the co-founder and president of the LIFE Group Devotions and the National LIFE Runners Team (full bio).  Pat and Angi have two daughters and live in Rapid City, SD.
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Faith Challenge: Today, make a special effort to reach out and love a neighbor who you find difficult to love.
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, 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. Norbert.
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Faith Quote: “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” ~ George Washington
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Through Christ our Lord,
Pat
Phil 4:13