03 Sep Off the Cliff (Lk 4:28) by Dr. Rich Reich
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors.
“When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury.” ~ Lk 4:28 (full readings)
Rich’s Reflections: In today’s Gospel, Jesus unfavorably compared the people of His hometown with foreigners in order to call them to repentance. Jesus told the people of Nazareth that, although many Jewish widows needed financial help during a three-and-a-half year famine brought on by the prophet Elijah, none of the Jewish widows were helped. Instead, a foreign widow from Zarephath received Elijah’s aid (Lk 4:25-26). Instead of repenting, Christ’s people refused the calling and tried to throw Jesus over a cliff (Lk 4:29-30). When the Lord blesses someone else, do you feel neglected by God? Instead of throwing Jesus over the cliff, we should throw away our pride. Pride is keeping us from repenting and experiencing true spiritual growth. Lord, remove pride from my heart so that I may repent. Amen.
* Dr. Rich Reich is the co-founder of the LIFE Group Devotions and the National LIFE Runners Team. He is married to Erica and lives in Satellite Beach, FL. Full bio.
Faith Challenge: Thank God when others are being blessed in ways that you are not. This is a call for you to repent.
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Priests for Life, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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.
Feast Day: St. Gregory the Great
Faith Quote: “Repentance lifts a man up. Mourning knocks at heaven’s gate. Holy humility opens it.” ~ John Climacus
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 (images) is #1 death cause (22% 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). Mt 28:19.