Say Yes to God (Lk 8:21) by Kevin McNicholas

23 Sep Say Yes to God (Lk 8:21) by Kevin McNicholas

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” ~ Lk 8:21 (full readings)
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Kevin’s Reflections:  Well, yes that is true, now isn’t it!  I imagine that Jesus had many people start off following Him who were very well-intentioned and initially excited about being His followers.  These individuals’ interest and excitement may quickly have waned when they realized that following Christ would not be without peril; Christianity led the Apostles and so many other Saints to their own deaths as martyrs!  I wondered today what the world would be like had a frail little girl stayed home and not gone to gather sticks in Lourdes in 1858 (St. Bernadette); her eyes looked on the Mother of God!  I wondered today what the world would be like had a young actor hidden in fear of the Nazis and not attended seminary in secret (St. John Paul II); he brought the Gospel further than ever before and won countless souls for Christ!  I wondered today what the world would be like had a young girl in Nazareth allowed her fear of being ridiculed or possibly put to death caused her not to say “yes” to God (Mary); she became the Mother of God!  So do I say “yes” to God?  How do I do that?  Do I serve others and put my family’s needs before my own?  Am I selfless and generous with my time?  God blessed us with two children when I thought we would have none.  Am I thankful that He allowed us to see firsthand the Miracles that He wishes to create?  Miracles happen; they are ordinary for God but extraordinary for humans.  What would be so extraordinary for me to pray for the grace to live holiness in my own daily life, in my own family, among those I come in contact with?  Yes, God, I will!  Today and every day.
* Kevin is a school social worker in Southern Illinois.  He and his wife Laura have been blessed with two miracles:  an almost 2 year old daughter named Elliana (“the Lord Answers”) and a 5 month old son named Jeremiah (“God is Exalted”).  They have been blessed during the 8 years of their marriage to travel to Catholic pilgrimage sites worldwide, as well as to serve as Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat leaders.

Faith Challenge:  Pray for opportunities to live holiness in your daily life.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project 

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 Pio of Pietrelcina (patron saint of the National LIFE Runners Team – read about it)
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Faith Quote:  “O Mary, Conceived Without Sin, Pray For Us Who Have Recourse To You.” (repeat 3 times). ~ Miraculous Medal Prayer
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Through Christ our Lord,
Kevin McNicholas
Lk 1:37