04 Jan Rock Solid (Jn 1:32) by Shane Kapler
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,’ which is translated Peter.” ~ Jn 1:32 (full readings)
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Shane’s Reflections: Cephas, in Aramaic – Petros, in Greek – Peter, in English; the name means “Rock.” We are reminded today of the incredible role that Jesus called Peter to play in His Kingdom, that of His Prime Minister (compare Mt. 16:17-19 with Is. 22:15, 20-24). It was a role that, left to himself, Peter would have failed miserably at (recall his three denials), but endowed with strength from the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, he was able to strengthen his brothers and sisters, confirming them in the truth (Lk. 22:31). Catholic Christians, such as myself, believe that Peter’s role within the Church, his office of Prime Minister, did not cease with his death (as in Acts 1:15-26) but continues today through his successors, the Bishops of Rome (the Popes). Catholic or not though, all Christians can find inspiration in the rock-like stance the Popes have taken for the Culture of Life – from the prophetic warning Paul VI made regarding the slippery slope contraception would take Western Civilization down, to John Paul II’s fight against abortion (and his enunciation of the beauty of human conjugal love), to Benedict XVI’s handing a Vatican document on the dangers of embryonic stem cell research (Dignitas Personae) to the sitting President of the United States! Let us all be inspired and encouraged by the leadership Jesus continues to raise up within His Body.
* Shane Kapler is the author of “The God Who is Love: Explaining Christianity From Its Center” and co-author of “Tending the Temple”. He works as a speech therapist in St. Louis, but his favorite “job” is being a Dad. Visit www.explainingchristianity.com.
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Faith Challenge: Take a few moments to read, or at least browse, one of the papal encyclicals devoted to confirming Christians in the culture of life. You will find not only inspiration, but fantastic points that you can interject into conversations with friends. Two wonderful examples are Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae (On Human Life), and John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life).
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, 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. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
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Faith Quote: “A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer.” – Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, no. 100
Through Christ our Lord,
Shane