16 Feb Mark 8:33 (from the Cross) by Deacon Sam Lee
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion(FB), provided by LIFE Runners(FB). Guest Authors schedule. LIFE Minute radio.
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“At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.’” ~ Mark 8:33 (full readings)
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Deacon Sam’s Reflections: Jesus rebuked Peter when he rejected the Cross. We too often want the easy way out. As pro-lifers, we sometimes want a quick fix to ending 39 years of legalized abortion on demand since Roe v. Wade. But Blessed John Paul II reminds us: “Today we too find ourselves in the midst of a dramatic conflict between the ‘culture of death’ and the ‘culture of life’. But the glory of the Cross is not overcome by this darkness; rather, it shines forth ever more radiantly and brightly, and is revealed as the center, meaning and goal of all history and of every human life…From the Cross, the source of life, the ‘people of life’ is born and increases” (Evangelium Vitae, 50-51). We must embrace the crosses in our life, which requires laying down our own life in service to others. We cannot do this alone: “No single person or group has a monopoly on the defense and promotion of life…only the concerted efforts of all those who believe in the value of life can prevent a setback of unforeseeable consequences for civilization” (EV, 91). May we always thank God for the crosses we encounter which mark us as the people of life.
* Deacon Sam Lee is a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He has been active in pro-life work since 1978 and a pro-life lobbyist at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City since the mid-1980’s. His wife Gloria works at Our Lady’s Inn, an emergency shelter for homeless, pregnant women and their children.
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Faith Challenge: View our crosses as gifts in the service of life.
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Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,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. Onesimus.
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Faith Quote: “I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.” ~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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With Christ in the service of Life,
Deacon Sam
Luke 18:1-8
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and 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 (and family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and 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 and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.