It was about two weeks before Easter, and the priest had a message for us from the ambo:
“It’s not too late. It’s never too late.”
Never too late for what? To turn to the Lord, of course. He was speaking specifically of the time we’re in right now—the last half of Lent. He was encouraging us, no matter how we felt we were “doing” with our Lenten practices.
For, as the people of Israel learned again and again, the Lord is always waiting. As Hosea tells us, God welcomes us into his loving embrace, no matter who we are, what we’ve done, no matter what time of day it is or what stage of life we’re in.
It’s never too late.
Yes! "The Lord is always waiting...waiting for our return! *** Return from what? Return from our sins in Hosea 14:1, "Israel, return to the Lord your God. Your sins have destroyed you!" *** What sins? Sins of self reliance and idolatry in Hosea 14:3, 8a, "Assyria can’t save us. We won’t trust in our war horses. Our own hands have made statues of gods. But we will never call them our gods again. We are like children whose fathers have died. But You show us Your tender love...Ephraim will have nothing more to do with other gods!" *** What "war horses" do you trust? What status of gods have you made? What other gods have you called upon? ******* Truly repent and return to Him, Who is the only true God and there is no other!!! *** Jeremiah 3:12a, "Go. Announce this message to the people in the north. Tell them, “ ‘Israel, you have not been faithful,’ announces the Lord. ‘Return to Me. Then I will do good things for you again." *** Jeremiah 24:7, "I will change their hearts. Then they will know that I AM the Lord. They will be My people. And I will be their God. They will return to Me with all their heart!" *** God has provided a way for us to repent and return in Romans 5:6-7, "At just the right time Christ died for ungodly people. He died for us when we had no power of our own. It is unusual for anyone to die for a godly person. Maybe someone would be willing to die for a good person. But here is how God has shown His love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" ******* I am a sinner saved by grace through faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! Lord Jesus, You are the only One Who intercedes for me sitting at the right hand of the Father!!! Amen!!!
The Gospel by Ryan Stevenson https://youtu.be/NTdFEZhjiko?si=7kWXnyD1SLuHcWxz *** Do you know that "Eternal Life" does not start when we die? Jesus gave me the definition of "Eternal Life" in this week's lesson at BSF on John 17:3, "And what is eternal life? It is knowing You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent!" *** Yes, "Eternal Life" starts when I know the one true God and Jesus Christ, His Son! My eternal life started 23 years ago and will continue into eternity with God face to face at some point :-)
A very reassuring devotion today, Amy. I bring my humbled heart to the Lord, for yet again, another chance. Love, peace and always continued prayers for the Living Faith Family. Sandy
Thank you, Salina for alerting me to the song, Unsung Hero after the post about my mom yesterday. It brought a flood of memories of her and a tear to my eye. Thanks to all who had a kind word, as well.
Amy, this is beautiful. Love when your reflections come up. Such powerful words, "It is never too late." Those accompanied by "You are not alone" have served my faith so well over the years. They pull me out of my funk and re-orient me towards God. Thank you for sharing your gift with the LFF through your writing. Continuing to lift Roman / Ellen, Karen and family, Betsy, Carl, Maryanne, Stephanie and Stormy / Journey!
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those suffering in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Jane thank you for your prayers I have not heard from Maryanne or Carl as Maryanne moved and is not getting meals on wheels. She only had a house phone. I will continue to try to find them. Living faith family I am sharing the prayers for those in purgatory. 74 1) Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen. 2) Prayer to Have a Merciful Heart Towards Others by St. Faustina O Jesus, I understand that Your mercy is beyond all imagining. I ask You, therefore, to make my heart so big that there will be room in it for the needs of all the souls living on this whole earthly globe. O Jesus, my love reaches beyond the world to the souls suffering in Purgatory, and I want to exercise mercy toward them by means of indulgenced prayers. God’s mercy is unfathomable and inexhaustible, just as God Himself is unfathomable. Were I to use the strongest words for expressing this mercy of God, they are nothing in comparison with what it is in reality. O Jesus, make my heart sensitive to all the sufferings of my neighbor whether they be of body or of soul. O my Jesus, I know that You act toward us as we act toward our neighbor. My Jesus, make my heart like unto Your merciful Heart. Jesus, help me to go through life doing good to everyone. Amen. Source: Diary of St. Faustina, II, #132 3) Eternal Rest Prayer V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. R. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 4) Prayer to Jesus Christ for the Holy Souls by St. Alphonsus Liguori O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them O Lord O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. O Lord. (Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions) Blessed Souls, we have prayed for thee; we entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for us miserable sinners, who are in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Let us pray: O God, the author of mercy, the lover of the salvation of mankind; we address thy clemency, in behalf of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, who are departed this life, that by the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, and of all the saints, thou wouldst receive them into, the enjoyment of eternal happiness; through Christ our Lord. Amen. 5) Litany for the Poor Souls in Purgatory O Jesus, Thou suffered and died that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Hear our pleas for further mercy on the souls of: My dear parents and grandparents, my Jesus mercy! My brothers and sisters and other near relatives, my Jesus mercy! My godparents and sponsors of confirmation, my Jesus mercy! My spiritual and temporal benefactors, my Jesus mercy! My friends and neighbors, my Jesus mercy! All for whom love or duty bids me pray, my Jesus mercy! Those who have offended me, my Jesus mercy! Those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me, my Jesus mercy! Those who are especially beloved by Thee, my Jesus mercy! Those whose release is near at hand, my Jesus mercy! Those who desire most to be united to Thee, my Jesus mercy! Those who endure the greatest sufferings, my Jesus mercy! Those whose release is most remote, my Jesus mercy! Those who are least remembered, my Jesus mercy! Those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church, my Jesus mercy! The rich, who now are the most destitute, my Jesus mercy! The mighty, who now are powerless, my Jesus mercy! The once spiritually blind, who now see their folly, my Jesus mercy! The frivolous, who spent their time in idleness, my Jesus mercy! The poor, who did not seek the treasures of heaven, my Jesus mercy! The tepid, who devoted little time to prayer, my Jesus mercy! The indolent, who neglected to perform good works, my Jesus mercy! Those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments, my Jesus mercy! The habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace, my Jesus mercy! Parents who failed to watch over their children, my Jesus mercy! Superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them, my Jesus mercy! Those who strove for worldly riches and pleasures, my Jesus mercy! The worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God, my Jesus mercy! Those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own, my Jesus mercy! Those who did not provide for the life hereafter, my Jesus mercy! Those whose sentence is severe because of the great things entrusted to them, my Jesus mercy! The popes, kings, and rulers, my Jesus mercy! The bishops and their counselors, my Jesus mercy! My teachers and spiritual advisors, my Jesus mercy! The deceased priests of this diocese, my Jesus mercy! The priests and religious of the Catholic Church, my Jesus mercy! The defenders of the holy faith, my Jesus mercy! Those who died on the battlefield, my Jesus mercy! Those who fought for their country, my Jesus mercy! Those who were buried in the sea, my Jesus mercy! Those who died of apoplexy, my Jesus mercy! Those who died of heart attacks, my Jesus mercy! Those who suffered and died of cancer, my Jesus mercy! Those who die suddenly in accidents, my Jesus mercy! Those who died without the last rites of the Church, my Jesus mercy! Those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours, my Jesus mercy! My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat, my Jesus mercy! Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them: For evermore with Thy saints, because Thou art gracious. May the prayer of Thy suppliant people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, benefit the souls of Thy departed servants and handmaids: that Thou mayest both deliver them from all their sins, and make them to be partakers of Thy redemption. Amen. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Ken
Happy International Women's Day to everyone of you women on this platform. Our presence here is testament to our role in contributing towards Faith building among women like ourselves, each in our own perspective. God bless us all.
Agreed and AMEN!
Thanks Amy for a thought provoking reflection this mornìning. God is so unreserved about our engagements and practices in and out of lent, what we do and what we don't do, for He never ceases to be the God who loves and favours us when He says " I will heal their defections, I will love them freely, for my wrath is turned away from them. Hosea 14:5. Remember it's never too late, God has the final say. Sending prayers for all with special needs and intentions today. Have a wonderfully blessed day Living Faith Family.
Good morning Living Faith Family. Just went through yesterday's reflections again this morning, and I'm quite humbled by your kind words as expressed in your birthday wishes sent. T'was an awesome day void of the noise and chaos. Spent the first part of the day in silent adoration and reverence before my Dearest Lord. This left me with complete peace within. In the afternoon, was treated to a lunch date with my husband. Chose the peace and quiet. Heart felt thanks to all of you for the outpour of love and kind wishes. Much appreciated! God bless all of you.
Happy belated birthday, JJC! So blessed to have a "peaceful" day.
What a beautiful day JJC - I'm so glad you made the most of it with those that mattered!!!!
Happy belated birthday
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Thank you, Amy. Your reflections are always so inspiring. To know that Our Lord always loves us is the greatest gift of all. Thank you Dear Lord Jesus for your everlasting Love and mercy. Please send your Love to all the hurting and suffering people in this world. You offer them so much comfort and hope.