March 12, 2024
Lenten Weekday
Weathering Storms
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore we fear not…
Psalm 46:2-3

This psalm, which Scripture scholars tell us was originally a hymn of praise for victory over armies besieging Jerusalem, has helped me remember God is "an ever-present help in distress.”

I write this as the fifth strong thunderstorm of the day is filling the air with deafening noise, lightning, great swirls of rain. There have been pauses for an hour or so, then, suddenly, the thunder sounds again.

I feel this serves as a metaphor for what can happen on the journey of our lives. So many kinds of distress can storm around us: medical emergencies, car accidents, job losses, deaths of loved ones. In some parts of our world: ongoing wars, crop failures, earthquakes.

In times of crisis in my life, I have reached for verse 2 of this psalm: “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.” Remembering, feeling God’s loving presence right there with me, has lessened my fear

- Patricia Livingston

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 • Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 • John 5:1-16
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Comments

March 12, 2024 at 10:29 PM

Thank you for your encouraging reflection today, Patricia. This reading came up on my calendar for every day today and I think it ties in with the storms of our lives. Praise be to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Sending prayers to all the LFF and their loved ones and praying for the souls in purgatory and the souls who have no one to pray for them. Thank you, Ken.

March 12, 2024 at 12:08 PM

*** The greatest storm of all times and history happend over two thousand years ago when Jesus willingly surrendered and submitted Himself to the plan They (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) had in the garden of Eden. *** Jesus was purposeful, focus and obedient in completing His work on earth going to the cross provides the perfect substitute for us, sinners, and offers us His righteousness! *** Why do you think God allows storms in the world, in our communities and in our lives? Is He really in control? Do you trust Him to know what He is doing? ******* I am calling "an audible" (football language) when I face with storms in Pslam 46:10a, "Be still, and know that I AM God!" *** The purpose of storms in James 1:2-4, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing!" *** The results of storms in Romans 5:3-5, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of Salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love!" *** The glory of storms in 2 Corinthains 4:16-18, "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever!" ******* Eye of the Storm by Ryan Stevenson https://youtu.be/Cjx1ehd5LhM?si=yg7YJWsCdgmYj6_m

March 12, 2024 at 10:43 AM

AMEN!

March 12, 2024 at 10:04 AM

As always praying for so many by name and for our community here who God knows their name. Salina, one of my daily prayers is for our young health care learners. Society especially insurance and “corporate medicine” has taken away so much from their ability to care. I pray Jessi does not lose the ability to speak up on behalf of all she meets in her journey! I also thank everyone for keeping me aware of what’s going on outside my world. I gave up on the news media a long time ago as it depressed me so terribly and it’s not a good view of the world when you are socially isolated. When you all comment in a prayerful way on events happening (like Haiti) I know to ask questions and inform myself without becoming overloaded with all the negative media feeds us. Thank you.

March 12, 2024 at 09:47 AM

AMEN, God gets my family and I through all seasons in our lives. We believe ever path is the path HE has planned for us. Blessings to everyone, stay true to God, he is GOOD!

March 12, 2024 at 08:43 AM

Patricia great way to put it. All the storms of life. Pray that they are calmer and less in our lives and the world each day. Blessings to all the LFF and especially those needing an extra pray/hand in life these days. May God show us all the peace of his love and may we spread it to all the world everyday.

March 12, 2024 at 08:19 AM

There are so many storms we are asked to weather Patricia - some stronger and longer than others. May I feel God next to me, loving me during those times. Amen. Bill L…adding Haiti to the list tomorrow.

March 12, 2024 at 08:04 AM

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.

Marie
March 12, 2024 at 09:04 AM

Amen, thank you for this prayer. There is so much suffering in the world right now. We need to pray, especially for these countries and Haiti

March 12, 2024 at 07:54 AM

Patricia it seems there are more and more storms in the world. Thanks for the reminder to focus on God and not on the storm. Praise to the Lord that Cass' Dr decided to use her picc line for chemo instead of redoing the port. She took a treatment yesterday and things went great. God has been with Cass and the family through this journey. Blessings to all of the LFF who have supported her in prayer. Learning God has a plan and never leaves us to deal with storms by ourselves. Have a blessed day.

Bill L.
March 12, 2024 at 03:29 PM

Including Cass in my rosary this evening, Nancy.

peggyR
March 12, 2024 at 10:50 AM

Thank you , Nancy for sharing the good news about Cass. Praying that the storm she’s been experiencing is finally calming down. Continued prayers for healing and strength in the coming days.

Pam
March 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Nancy, I continue to pray each day for Cass…I have her on my daily list praying to St. Michael of the Saints, another powerful cancer patron. “Most Holy Trinity, you who gave us St. Michael of the Saints as trusted friend and intercessor, and as patron of those afflicted with cancer, please look with kindness on your servants who this day invoke his name. Please comfort those in distress, confirm those in doubt, and satisfy their spiritual needs from the treasury of your grace. Remember all who call on your help, but please be especially solicitous of Cass and ALL Our Living Faith Family. Please restore health to them and all who are sick. Sanctify those who endure pain with Christ-like acceptance, and please grant to all of us, a just reward in the life of glory to come. Please, in Jesus’s name we pray.” This prayer was sent to me in 1995 by my Confirmation Sponsor as I was in the middle of my chemo adventures. I have said this prayer everyday with so many people listed over the past 29 years, and those removed because of healing either in health, or by God’s gentle mercy.

Stormy
March 12, 2024 at 08:38 AM

Continued prayers for Cass. May her path through these hard times be as smooth as possible.

jane
March 12, 2024 at 08:17 AM

Continuing to lift Cass. Hoping her treatments continue to heal her. Amen.

March 12, 2024 at 07:53 AM

Amen. :)

March 12, 2024 at 06:06 AM

Good morning Vincent, prayers for you our friend in Christ.☮️

March 12, 2024 at 04:57 AM

I am going through a very anxious week and so this psalm helps me but please still pray for me that I may get past this week of uncertainty

Bill L.
March 12, 2024 at 03:28 PM

You will be in my evening rosary, Vincent.

Rita
March 12, 2024 at 12:46 PM

Good Morning Vincent! May you feel the Lords' arms around you and understand that he has you and whatever you have to go through this week. Rest and be at peace, HE is with you. Rita

peggyR
March 12, 2024 at 10:59 AM

Good morning Vincent. Joining the others in prayer for you during this time of anxiety in your life. Our Lord Jesus is always with you, helping you every moment. His love and mercy will give you strength and courage.

SandyK
March 12, 2024 at 10:04 AM

Vincent, I'm lifting you up to the Lord in prayer to calm your anxieties. Keep us posted how you're doing. Sandy

Kjc
March 12, 2024 at 09:51 AM

Vincent I am praying for you right now. Ken

Vicky G
March 12, 2024 at 09:50 AM

Vincent, what ever this week brings God will be in it and will be with you after it. Praying you feel Him and His strength and that you humbly accept whatever lessons He has for you in it.

Pam
March 12, 2024 at 09:37 AM

Vincent, add me to the list of praying hands lifting you up to receive God’s tender mercy and healing love.❣️

Sharon
March 12, 2024 at 09:20 AM

My prayers are with you

Bill S
March 12, 2024 at 09:13 AM

Good morning Vincent, Here’s another psalm for you to pray this week and I will also pray it for you. Psalm 34, v5-7. I sought the Lord, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears. Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame. In my misfortune I called, the Lord heard and saved me from all distress. Hope you have a blessed and wonderful week and find peace.

Stormy
March 12, 2024 at 08:36 AM

Prayers Vincent for the calm of Gods hands in your life. Not that this works for everyone but in my hard times I try very hard to picture myself in Gods hands and allowing him to hold me through the hard times.

jane
March 12, 2024 at 08:15 AM

Vincent, sending the healing light to give you serenity, strength and courage for the days ahead. Amen.

Kevin M
March 12, 2024 at 07:50 AM

Praying for you Vincent, as are so many others, that you have the peace of Christ to sustain and help you.

Nancy
March 12, 2024 at 07:34 AM

Praying that God's presence will help you through each day.

Joann
March 12, 2024 at 06:13 AM

Prayers for you Vincent. I am also sharing a link for a prayer to St Dymphna Patron saint for anxiety https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayer-to-st-dymphna.html&ved=2ahUKEwjAuJS9ve6EAxWyjokEHRa3CrsQFnoECCEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3kcIu3nNKT8YOsB-mhHCYP

Julie
March 12, 2024 at 05:03 AM

Prayers for peace, strength, and comfort

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