Snake-bitten (Phil 2:7-8) by Steve Castle

“Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found in human appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” ~ Phil. 2:7-8  (full readings)

Steve’s Reflections:  He humbled himself.  Today is the celebration of the Exaltation of the Cross; the ultimate act of humility, sacrifice and love the world has ever seen.  In ancient times the cross symbolized pure horror; a terrible, agonizing death meant only for the worst of the worst.  To imagine the Son of God, Jesus, dying in such a way is unthinkable.  Today’s first reading from Numbers speaks of the saraph (snake) mounted on a pole that healed all who were stricken by a snake bite and looked upon it.  Aren’t we all snake bitten?  We all have sin and are in need of healing.  Without the cross we would perish.  To gaze upon the cross, like the saraph staff, is to gaze upon our salvation and the source of all healing and forgiveness.  
* Steve Castle serves on the LIFE Group board, is a regular Friday devotion author, and produces the LIFE Minute. Him and his wife Tina lead the Fergus Falls MN LIFE Runners Chapter and attend to their number one ministry; their four children. Full bio.

Faith Challenge:   Today look upon the cross as one snake-bitten with sin.  Contemplate that pure act of humility, sacrifice, and love so that you may be forgiven and spend eternity with God in heaven.   

Sr. Francelle’s Devotion:  “Fear Not!” (3 Sept, 2009)

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

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now. 

Feast Day:  Exaltation of the Cross

Faith Quote:  “The road is narrow.  He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane.” ~ St. John of the Cross

Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:12

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and 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 (and family): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and 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 and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.