Luke 15:2 (called to His supper)

This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. Luke 15:2 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: “Jesus welcomes us to his Church just as we are and invites us to dine with him at the eucharistic table. When we do, we come into real and pure communion with him and receive his mercy, healing and forgiveness.” by Steve Givens

Rich’s comments: Growing up, my parents and I never ate dinner at the table. Sadly enough we spent many of our dinners behind individual trays watching TV. I am happy that my wife has made every effort for us to eat at the dinner table. At the dinner table, we not only share our food, but we share our lives as we talk together, laugh, and share stories with one another. Eating dinner together at the table tells us that we belong and are loved. Jesus invites us to His table, because He wants us to know that we belong and are loved. Happy are those who are called to His supper. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let’s all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (~250 of God’s children).

* NEW: Invite someone to church this Sunday and let them feel welcome.

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, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP in hospital), Lynn Bishara (for son Alex), Joe Hourigan (for brother Mike), Doug Young (special intention), Beth O’Connor (Shannon Bohannon-recovering from brain surgery; Dennis O’Connor – hospitalized with pneumonia & suffering from congestive heart failure; Aurora White – broken leg; father-in-law – poor health; Aunt Linda DePalma – breast cancer).

* NEW: Natalie Cornell (brother-in-law had kidney & gall bladder removed)

Faith Quote: “A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” – Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby, advice columnist)

Rich

James 1:22

* 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, pornography, bitterness, criticalness, 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 a 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 (Matt 28:19).