08 Feb Mk 7:14-16 (Choose Love) by Justin Weiler
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Upcoming Guest Authors.
“Here me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come from within are what defile.” ~ Mk 7:14-16 (full readings)
Justin’s Reflections: Sinning is a personal decision. Selfishness and greed come from within. We defile ourselves and point away from God’s will. This is a part of human nature that is easy to see but a constant effort to combat. If we do not accept all people as children of Christ, we are also making a personal decision and pointing away from God’s will. It is easy to look at somebody who has wronged us and immediately and angrily judge them as a sinner, but we need to take the beam out of our eye before telling them to take the sliver out of their eye. Abortion, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, etc., will always be morally wrong “things that come out from within”, but so are wrath and judgment. To truly make a difference and bring the message of LIFE and peace to the world, the answer is love. We need to consciously avoid evil and let love pour out of us. This love may be praying outside of Planned Parenthood, writing a congressman, or just silently offering a Rosary for an end to abortion. This will bring about a change in the world!
* Justin Weiler is the proud husband and father of Anna and Jackson. The Weilers currently reside at Scott Air Force Base near St. Louis. Between family, work, and serving God in various ministries of the Church, LIFE Runner Justin still finds time for some “redemptive suffering” by training for the next big race.
Faith Challenge: No matter the evils of the world, let us always remember that love is a constant decision. Resolve to choose God’s will (and by default, love) in all things.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed and Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Feast Day: St. Josephine Bakhita.
Faith Quote: “I am going slowly, step-by-step, because I have two bags to carry – one containing my own sins, the other Christ’s merits. When I get to the other side, I will open my bags and say, ‘Eternal Father, now judge!’ and to St. Peter, ‘You can close that door of yours, for I am going to stay.'” ~ St. Josephine Bakhita
Through Christ Our Lord,
Justin
Phil 4:13
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and His miracles, changing us and 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…#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). Mt 28:19.