14 Feb Mark 8:12 (Sign of Love)
“He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.'” Mark 8:12 (full readings)
Rich’s Reflections: Red heart-shaped chocolate boxes, conversation hearts, laced doilies, and cupids line the store aisles. Commercialism has defined signs of affection for us to purchase, and we are pressured every year to buy them for our love ones. In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees pressured Jesus to produce a sign, but He refuses. Jesus’ response shows that a sign originating in human demand will not be provided. God’s love is not forced, but given freely. Today on Valentine’s Day, show your loved ones that you love them by giving them yourself freely as Jesus gave Himself to us. Give them your time, your affection, your listening ear, your compassionate heart, your self-sacrificing love. Lord, teach me to love as You love. Amen.
Faith Challenge: Today on Valentine’s Day, don’t focus on giving your loved ones material things, but focus on giving them you.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action
* Woman afraid for her baby’s life after pharmacy accidentally gives abortion pill
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, running, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
* Prayer vigil for victims of underage sex trafficking (noon, Mon, 14 Feb, PP offices nationwide): exposeplannedparenthood.com/vigil.
Feast Day: Saints Cyril and Methodius
Faith Quote: “God loves us the way we are, but too much to leave us that way.” ~ C.S. Lewis
Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22
* 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 (images)…#1 death cause (23% 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 (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.