Sirach 48:1 (faith shaped by fire)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com).

There appeared the prophet whose words were as a flaming furnace. Sirach 48:1

Living Faith snippets: “Elijah’s words [often associated with the metaphor of fire] sizzled with intensity and determination to turn people’s hearts back to God. This way of changing my heart comes about when I hear or read something that first angers me but then leads me to see the truth I need to know. This way of changing one’s heart is not easy but can be highly effective. Approach this fire cautiously, but stay open to what might need to be revealed.” by Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.

Rich’s comments: In the smelting process, fiery heat forces out the impurities that corrupt gold. In ourselves, fiery anger can cause impurities to rise up in our minds and hearts. Instead of fighting this process, perhaps we can use it as an opportunity to discover and let go of whatever is holding us back from becoming pure. Instead of immediately becoming defensive when we sense opposition to our beliefs, we should open our hearts and listen for the Truth. Lord, as Your people, we are called to become purified gold. May we accept our growth process, even though it may be painful, and continue on the path seeking Truth. Amen.

ProLife news: lifesitenews.com

Feast Day of St. Romuald: As a youth, according to early accounts, Romuald indulged in the pleasures and sins of the world common to a tenth-century nobleman. After watching his father, Sergius, kill an opponent in a duel, however, the 20-year old Romuald was devastated, and fled to the Abbey of Sant’Apollinare in Classe to become a monk. Led by a desire for a stricter way of life than he found in that community, three years later he withdrew to become a hermit on a remote island in the region, accompanied solely by an older monk, Marinus. Learn more about St. Romuald’s change of heart at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Romuald.

Our Prayers: Abortion, our enemies, our troops, China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone, depression/despair, prisoners, Vicki Miller (her cancer treatment), Carlson home sale, those battling flood waters in the Midwest.

Faith quote: Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. – Martin Luther King Jr.

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Outreach: Let’s gladly invite those near us to join our LIFE Devotions group (Mark 16:15), providing routine spiritual connection and strength (simply forward a devotion with an invitation).

* Today’s Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml.

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God’s people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can’t explain await!” “If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him.”

* Defend the unborn: ‘Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die’ (Prov 24:11). ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). ‘It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish’ Blessed Mother Teresa. Click for Prayer to End Abortion.

* Evangelization: Let’s make room for non-believers (be a friend, make a friend, lead a friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of selfless love, mercy, and service.