My Lord, My Strength (Jer 20:11) by Carol Cooper

“The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion.” ~ Jer 20:11 (full readings)
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Carol’s Reflections:  In today’s first reading, Jeremiah deals with the struggles of speaking openly about his belief in God.  The persecutions are overwhelming, and yet the fire of God’s love burning within him is too strong to endure; he has to let it out; he has to share it, no matter the consequence!   He is at the point of despair and finds himself tempted by the thought of seeing his persecutors “put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion,” yet in the midst of all that, he still entrusts his cause to God and sings of God’s praises.  Jeremiah’s humble struggle is such an inspiration to us in our struggle to protect Life, isn’t it?  It is inevitable that at some point we will encounter total despair, but Jeremiah reminds us that if we praise and thank God always, entrust our cause to Him, and seek to serve His Will at all times, He will bring good out of all things.  Thanks be to God!  
* Carol Cooper is a teacher and coach at St. Thomas More H.S. in Rapid City, SD.  She and her husband Dan have three amazing children; Jay, Kelly and Kaci.
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Faith Challenge:  Make your way today to a chapel in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.  Kneel before Jesus and repeat over and over and over, “I love you, Lord, my strength” from Psalm 18.
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Counter-Culture News:  LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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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.
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Feast Day:  Saint Stanislaus.  Saintly and tragic Bishop of Krakow, Poland.  Remembered, along with Saint Thomas More and Saint Thomas Beckett, for his opposition to unjust government.
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Faith Quote:  “To become a champion, fight one more round.” ~ James Corbett
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Through Christ Our Lord,
Carol