07 Jun Working for God (John 17:4) by Kevin McNicholas
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“I glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave me to do.“ ~ John 17:4 (full readings)
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Kevin’s Reflections: My wife gave me a tabletop clock with this verse engraved on it as I started my first job as a school social worker. Seven years later these words are as true as they were the first day I displayed this gift proudly in my office. Today’s Gospel was the Gospel reading at our Wedding Mass, and means so much to us, as it has great meaning for all Christians who work to advance God’s Kingdom here on Earth. I learned early on that working a job does not guarantee happiness. Struggles in a job are inevitable, but those are the times God teaches us more about who He is. He gives us the peace of heart to endure trials, which are part of being a Christian. Happiness is less important than a deep faith in God that brings us through difficult times in our work and personal lives. We can glorify God in all aspects of our lives: at work, at home, and in the community. Everything we do as Christians should be bringing us closer to Heaven, which is our eventual goal as a result of our faith.
*Kevin McNicholas met his wife Laura at St. John’s Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They were married May 20th, 2006 at SJCNC, in the same chapel where they met, and were engaged. They are blessed to be Engaged Encounter Weekend leaders in the Belleville, IL diocese.
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Faith Challenge: Reflect on how you glorify God in your daily work, especially in your relationship with the co-worker you find it most difficult to love.
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Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption,Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on ourwebsite. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: Servant of God Joseph Perez.
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Faith Quote: “Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.” ~ Blessed John Paul II
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Through Christ our Lord,
Kevin McNicholas
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* Pray/Fast: Our Lady of Medjugorje requested us to fast strictly on Wednesdays and Fridays. Fasting brings us closer to God “in atonement for our sins, and those of the whole world.”
* Save Unborn (and families): 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.