Make Room for God’s Abundance (Lk 9:24-25) by Alice Chapman

11 Feb Make Room for God’s Abundance (Lk 9:24-25) by Alice Chapman

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” ~ Lk 9:24-25 (full readings)
.
Alice’s Reflections:  As we transition from the abundance and glitz of the Christmas holiday season to the relative bleakness of winter, it’s a great time to turn our focus to examining what we value most in our lives.  Certainly we cherish our families and friends, but how much importance do we place on the material things that we’ve accumulated?  For me, it’s when I start looking for places to put all of the new kitchen tools, electronic gadgets, clothes, etc., our family received for Christmas that I’m reminded of how much abundance we have in our lives and I’m prompted to give more of myself, materially and spiritually, to what’s truly important to God.  In a way, this time of year is an opportunity for us to clear out the physical and spiritual clutter in our lives to make an open space for God’s abundant gifts.  In today’s reading, Jesus points out clearly that when we prize our material possessions, our “busy-ness”, or our status, we risk losing that part of ourselves that is created by and for God.  The A-Cross America Relay for Life kicked off yesterday.  When you sign up for one or more legs and wear your LIFE Runners gear to cover those miles, you are taking up your cross (dedicating time, facing potentially adverse weather) in a very tangible way to raise awareness and support pro-life victories—All in Christ!
* Alice is a public health officer in the U.S. Air Force and is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.  She and her husband Glenn have a son, Thomas..

Faith Challenge:   Make a commitment to sign up for an A-Cross America Relay leg today.  If you don’t live close to the relay route, sign up and run or walk your miles virtually in your own town.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
.
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.
.
Feast Day:  St. Paschal
.
Faith Quote:  “Abundance is a process of letting go; that which is empty can receive.”  ~ Bryant H. McGill

All In Christ for Pro-Life,
Alice Chapman
Jer 29:11-13