Poverty of Spirit (Mk 9:37) by Greg Robeson

25 Feb Poverty of Spirit (Mk 9:37) by Greg Robeson

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” ~ Mk 9:37 (full readings)

Greg’s Reflections:  There are many aspects of being childlike that Jesus emphasizes throughout the Gospel, such as innocence, trust, simplicity, and dependence on another.  But here, being like a child means being “poor in spirit”.  Poverty blesses our souls in many ways, not just monetarily.  Our culture loathes poverty as something to be avoided like a disease, however it offers our souls potential enrichment.  In a similar light, when we fast, we empty ourselves so God can better work through our lives; this can be a powerful participation in the supernatural.  But being poor in spirit is something even deeper and more profound than intermittent fasting with a purpose.  It is a disposition, an attitude that takes every privation, every instance of doing without, and turns it into a celebration of the way Christ lives more fully in us.  Paul embodies this when he says, “I live no longer but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).  A child rarely gets credit, acclaim or glory for their accomplishments.  This poverty of spirit is what Jesus wants us to emulate.  The tide is turning on the front lines of battle in the fight for life.  The weapons of power that are affecting change across the USA, are prayer and fasting.  Let’s add “poverty of spirit” to our arsenal for this supernatural battle.  When insult or humiliation comes your way, when you feel too weak to walk/run another step, or even when you don’t get praise you think you deserve… these are opportunities to embrace our smallness, like children, like the unborn, so that God can do miracles.
* Greg Robeson is the “Chief Campaign Speaker” for ThriVe St. Louis and one of the “largest” voices in LifeNOW, a group of “influencers” in Missouri who have devised a key strategy to become the first abortion free state.  He has the reputation of being one of the most dynamic youth leaders of his time, building parish based youth programs all over St. Louis.  Greg has been married to beautiful wife DeAnna since 2000, and they have four amazing children. 

Faith Challenge:  Let’s pray for each other, that our hearts may give God the credit and glory and our will would be united in suffering for the unborn, the greatest class of innocents being persecuted today.  When we give our will to poverty, whether monetary, or spiritual, in an attempt to train our hearts in humility, we “receive Jesus”.  It is only when Christ dwells in us that we are ready for supernatural battle, the type of battle being won today for the unborn.

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 Tarasius

Faith Quote:  “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” ~ Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,
Greg Robeson
Jer 1:5