The gift of speech is a distinguishing human characteristic. We are made in the image and likeness of God, who spoke and brought the world into being (Genesis 1). Jesus is the Incarnate Word of God (John 1:14). The Holy Spirit “intercedes with inexpressible groanings” (Romans 8:26).
Speech—communicating something of oneself—is a primary way we form personal relationships. Contrast our God with the lifeless idols condemned by Hosea and the psalmist or the demon who made the man mute in today’s Gospel. We worship a God who actively calls us. We may be tempted by the false gods of power, pleasure or honor, but these can never satisfy. They take and never give. They demand our attention and energy but offer nothing more than distractions from our true calling.
Listen for the Lord speaking to you today. Is his voice in a verse of Scripture? A song that inspires? A glimpse of natural wonder? The reassuring advice of a trusted friend? The touch of a loved one?
Listen, and know that his heart is close to you.
Steve, beautiful reflection! As I walk through Rome and see the beautiful honoring of our Lord, he is speaking to me!!! Ellen’s father Roman has passed away. Eternal rest grant unto Roman oh Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him. Continued prayers for the family, Also Lord, can you help restore the power to those without it in Houston? Thank you. So happy people can use my house (which has power) while we’re away. Amen.
Beautiful devotion, Steve. We do not need the powerful miracle of a mute to speak to hear the word of God around us. It's an everyday occurrence. All we need is to listen and we will hear it. So many in need of prayers today. Let us be bountiful with them.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, 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 Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur 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.
I have heard God speaking to me in so many ways since January, and I’ve been listening. Before January, he also talked to me, but I failed to hear or did not listen with comprehension. I listened to the silent idols of significance and immorality in my teens. While they could not speak, they promised notoriety, importance, and pleasures of the flesh beyond my dreams. Fortunately, they were all silent lies, but unfortunately, it took over four decades for me to realize the lies. Silent Idols will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. Thank you, Lord, for being persistent.
Rusty please keep praying and reaching out . They will come around. I am praying for you right now. Ken
Thank You.
How can we be the voice of God to comfort the little children and staff of the hospital in Ukraine that was directly hit by a Russian missile? Dear Lord, please send your love and hope to these innocent people, we pray in your holy Name.
Thank you for your insight & guidance...I start my day with Living Faith, and feel connected to good people praying..for good outcomes for themselves & others, for God's Grace, lifting their minds & hearts to God, to Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life .
Rusty, as I was walking this morning and listening to this song thinking of what you wrote yesterday... Who I Thought You Were by Oliver Lane https://youtu.be/RRIGLQIHuS4?si=oFdgD_DDJzRWIVPp
What do I hear today? *** What other gods or altars (spiritual, mental or physical) do I create, talk to and/or make sacrifices for? Hosea 8:4b, 11a, "They use their silver and gold to make statues of gods...Ephraim built many altars where they sacrificed sin offerings to other gods!" *** I don't do that, do I? Hosea 8:2-4a, "Israel shouts to Me, ‘We recognize You as our God!’ But they have turned away from what is good. So an enemy will chase them. My people appoint kings I do not want. They choose princes without My permission!" *** Listen up, Salina!!! Hosea 8:4c-6, 14, "That is how they destroy themselves.” The Lord says, “People of Samaria, throw out your god that looks like a calf! I am very angry with them. How long will it be until they are able to remain faithful to Me? Their calf is not God. A skilled worker from Israel made it. But that calf of Samaria will be broken to pieces...Israel has forgotten the God Who made them. They have built palaces for themselves. Judah has built forts in many towns. But I will send down fire on their cities. It will burn up their forts.” ******* I am sorry, Lord, for being unfaithful to You, clinging to man-made statues, desire-created life goals, human-troubled relationships, etc :-( *** I'm Sorry (a lament) by TobyMac https://youtu.be/KUYClC6vqKk?si=p1WgNqfip3YoewWS
What a powerful, insightful and all-encompassing devotion referencing all the readings today, Steve! Thank you ❤️✝️❤️
Thank *you*, Salina, and so many of you in the steadfast Living Faith community! Your intercession and devotion is more powerful than you know! I often think that part of our life in the Lord one day will be seeing the "highlight reel" of the ways that God used our prayers, sacrifices, and even our struggles to accomplish His purposes, to lift others to heaven, etc.
AMEN!
It's hard to see and hear him when it feels like lifes walls are falling in all around you. Blessings to all the LFF, especially to those needing an extra hands these days and may we all go out and spread Gods love through all the world.
Those can be the hardest times, indeed... and the moments when we should pray with even greater hope and expectation. Asking that all those who need a word from the Lord today, a kindness from a stranger, an unexpected touch of an angel, will receive it. Come, Lord Jesus!
Amen :)
Amen. :)
God speaks to everyone. God hasn't stopped speaking. We've stopped listening.
Amen to that Irene!
Yes, even in a pizza resturant, God's presence was felt in a powerful way, as our young waiter sang last night an opera piece in Italian that stopped people from eating .....and we all listened in awe. Amen
Wow! That sounds awesome! What an opportunity to have just a little touch of beauty to elevate the mind and heart! Thank you for sharing!
All it can take is being still.
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
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Sharing with you, “DAY SEVEN “Hold on to what you have...” *** READ “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.” Revelation 3:11-12 *** REFLECT Revelation 3:11 encourages God’s people to “hold on to what you have.” The concept of holding fast to our faith is a reminder that waiting on Jesus is not passive. As today’s world pulls us in different directions, we are called to cling to God’s truth, to stand firm in His promises, and to hold on to eternal hope in Jesus. Revelation gives us a clear warning that we cannot hold on to the world and cling to Christ at the same time. When we hold on to the things of this world, our grip on God’s truth weakens. What is pulling you away from God? Are you holding on to something that He is asking you to release? *** PRAY Spend some time asking God to reveal the specific ways you are still clinging to the world. Spend some time in repentance and ask God to help you release your grip on this world’s frail and fleeting rewards. Reflect on the verse above, holding on to the promise of eternal victory in Jesus.”