Concern for the poor, the immigrant and the marginalized permeates the Old Testament. Again and again, God admonishes his people to show mercy, to reach out with care and to offer hospitality to those who have no one to care for them because they were once strangers and unwelcome in a foreign land.
All of us know, to one degree or another, what it means to be rejected, bullied, dismissed and abused. Yet, too often we fail to extend the mercy and love we wished for in those circumstances to those we meet. How often have I turned a blind eye to the homeless person I meet in the street or failed to speak up when a friend was being gossiped about? If I am to be a disciple of Jesus, I, too, must have concern for the poor.
Let us keep the young people who have been or currently are being bullied. It can leave indelible scars on a person or they may act out in dangerous ways. Oh Dear Lord, how can we help these beautiful children of yours? By all means pray, but we must act with kindness and conviction and reach out wherever we can. Oh good St Joseph, please intercede for these young people. Amen
Sharing with you, “ DAY EIGHTEEN “The Lamb's book of life…” *** READ “It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb Who was slain from creation of the world.” Revelation 13:7-8 *** REFLECT Though the Bible clearly reveals God’s absolute authority, almighty power, and sovereign control, evil often seems to have the upper hand on earth. Though Satan has already been defeated, Revelation 13 tells us that he is allowed another opportunity to wage war against God’s people through his representative—the beast from the sea. Though we may not understand all of God’s ways, we are assured that God’s unstoppable power limits Satan’s evil schemes. The power of God’s eternal will and Jesus’s death and resurrection secures those whose names are listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Nothing, not even Satan’s evil forces, can undo Jesus’s glorious work on the cross. *** PRAY Because God’s enemies cannot overrule His truth, the only option left for them is to spread lies. Today, pray for protection from Satan’s deception. Pray for those in your home, your church, and your community. Ask God to reveal His truth to you and your family, friends, neighbors, and leaders.”
Yeah God ❤️✝️❤️ Jessi’s flight was cancelled this morning, but she was early enough so she boarded an earlier flight instead but she was on standby number 3 on her connection flight…she got the last seat on the flight home just now!!! *** Here is my text to her while she was waiting, “Praying for you to have a seat in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to shower all kinds of blessings on you. So in all things and at all times you will have everything you need. You will do more and more good works!” Amen ❤️✝️❤️”
This reading caught my heart in Micah 2:4a, “On that day a satire shall be sung over you{“ *** I love satire especially Babylon Bee :-) *** https://youtu.be/D942uVB-ReA?si=wVn3B3UN3_TzHzNW
I Minister to Homeless People on Sunday's. What I fine to be true is, there are some good and some bad. I also fine to be true is, there are people who are all dressed up, some good and some bad. Let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you, you won't go wrong.
Great comment, TW. So very true!
Safety is definitely important. But I try- and do not always succeed- in honoring the stranger's humanity, even if the window stays rolled up. I try to look them in the eyes and say "I'm sorry." I am sorry, too. They were somebody's baby once, just like me.
GHH, what a beautiful way to address a homeless person or someone in need. “ They were somebody’s baby one day, just like me.” Powerful
Jonathan great words to reflect on. This is a hard one to know when and where to lend that helping hand. I want to help but at the same time do not want to enable. Prayers have become a regular occurance to knowing how to do this. After reading Bonnie L. comment about knowing when to roll down that window I got to thinking that although I ask God for guidance in those situations I would like to make up a common phrase or quick prayer to say just before that happens. I would love some help to finding that prayer. Any thoughts anyone? Prayer request for my aunt Alice that she recovers from a bad surgery that left her nerve damage in her foot and carpal tunnel surgery that for some reason now she has resulted in her having a hard time walking. Blessings to all the LFF especially those needing a bit more strength in their days. May we all safely spread Gods love through all the world.
Sorry, I thought I lost the first time I typed it…so I rewrote it…same information may be different words :-)
I don’t have a prayer but I have an experience to share! God makes my heart beat fast when He wants me to stop, share a word, lend a hand and/or say a prayer :-) This past February, He prompted me to turn my car around and I parked in a safe area, walked over to talk to this stranger with a sign that I couldn’t read. I want to find out if I am enabling or helping! The only way to do that is to ask questions and let the Holy Spirit guide me in Psalm 32:8, “I will guide you and teach you the way you should go. I will give you good advice and watch over you with love!” I asked her questions, called a local charity for help and handed her the phone for information, gave her $20 and prayed over her. So I don’t roll my window down any more and I don’t stop for man! From my perspectives a woman stops for a woman stranger and a man stops for a man stranger…
I don’t have a prayer, but I can share an experience…when the Holy Spirit prompts me to give a hand, a word, and /or a prayer, He makes my heart beat fast and He makes me turn around and go back to find a place to park and get out of my car to follow His instructions in Psalm 32:8, “I will guide you and teach you the way you should go. I will give you good advice and watch over you with love!” ❤️✝️❤️ *** So I don’t roll down my window any more, I have to park my car and walk over to the stranger!!! I want to know if I am enabling or helping…one way to find out is to talk to the person…the only way to talk to the person is to park and walk over :-) Last time I did that was in February! I asked questions, I called local charity for help and handed the phone over, gave $20 from my purse right where we stood and I prayed over her! I would not stop for a man for my own safety!!! From my perspectives, a woman stops for a woman stranger and a man stops for a man stranger!
Prayers for LFF & for those in need. I certainly know what it is like to be rejected as I spent most of my growing up years being rejected for my Roman Catholic faith. Thanks to my mother, I survived those years & today I am friends with many of those who rejected me in my youth.
The other day I just came out of a store and got into my car. I noticed a man walking in the parking lot I thought he was walking to his car at the other end. No he chose to stand a foot away from my drivers window which was rolled up. I’m not sure what he wanted he motioned with his hand he wanted to speak to him. Out of fear I chose not to roll my window down and for my safety but said a prayer for him as I pulled away from my parking spot. I was left with emotion and concern. Not knowing if he was homeless but offered my prayer for him. I don’t know what he wanted but my offering of prayer to Our Lord to care for him when I could not and for my safety should not. May we today take the opportunity to reach out to those in need of prayer whether they are strangers or those in our families who isolate themselves for one reason or another from God. Because there is much hope in our loving God who loves and care for us. I offered prayer for my waitress who was so kind and gave her a card thinking about being Catholic and have questions. Or Catholic and would like to return. Our parish have these wonderful cards so we can offer them to others in our community. God Bless all LF and continued prayers for those especially Salina’s daughter and her continued studies and exams. Have a Blessed Saturday!
Bonnie so right not to roll your window down. In this weary world safety is so very important. Prayers are so very strong and a good way of giving. I truly believe that when a person in true need comes up God will show me the right thing to do.
Bonnie, you did the right thing in not rolling down the window ✝️ It is better to be safe than sorry ✝️ Here is what Jesus told His disciples sending them out in Matthew 10:16, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves!” ✝️ Thank you for your continued prayers for Jessi ♥️ I drove to her apartment last night so I can pick her up from the airport this evening. She is coming back from a month of temporary duty with the Air Force at the Nellis Air Force Base Medical Center and the University Medical Center working with the residents and doctors at the ERs. She will be flying out again on Monday to three other hospitals in VA and OH for her internship interviews at their ERs. Praying for her to use her experience at Las Vegas to do well at these interviews. May the Holy Spirit be with her protecting her and guiding her in safety of travels, speech during interviews and selection where God has planned for her to serve her internship ♥️✝️♥️ Amen!!!
Another prospective of giving to those in need. My wife spent the first 12 years of her life as a migrant worker with her family. She had to beg for money and food. She taught me It was mine to give freely and not worry about the intention of the receiver. We carry $5 bills in our car console and give to those who are begging for help. There are so many ways to give and the Lord leads us each down our individual path of giving. God bless the poor, and the marginalized.
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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.