Jesus’ response to the woman who called out from the crowd is in no way a rebuke of his mother, Mary, who gave birth to him and nursed him through infancy. He emphasizes that being blessed in the Kingdom of God is about something much more challenging than whom we know or what our connections are. It’s about attentiveness, deep listening to the Word of God and then integrating what we hear into the way we live our everyday lives.
Jesus’ words are a catalyst, breaking open what really counts in the reign of justice and peace.
- Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.
Pray God of miracles, I am strong in spirit, though weak in body. Pain is not only real—it is my constant companion: the first thing to greet me in the morning and that which puts me to bed. But I will rise to meet the day with an unblemished heart. I will lean into my pain and not cower to it. I will walk with my discomfort and not run from it. Even a broken body is holy because it is made in your likeness. Amen. Do you know of somebody in constant pain? Share this prayer with him or her as a reminder that no malady is beyond God’s ability to heal. Pray God of miracles, I am strong in spirit, though weak in body. Pain is not only real—it is my constant companion: the first thing to greet me in the morning and that which puts me to bed. But I will rise to meet the day with an unblemished heart. I will lean into my pain and not cower to it. I will walk with my discomfort and not run from it. Even a broken body is holy because it is made in your likeness. Amen.
Larry, that is a beautiful prayer and thank you for sharing it. I pray that God be with you on your journey as you carry your cross. Amen.
Thank you Larry, this prayer is so timely. God bless you for sharing with us here present and absent.
Thank you very much, Larry. There’s so many people who I know and do not know who are in constant pain. I will forward to as many as I can. God bless you.
So what is the Word of God this morning that I shall observe it? The relationship between the law and my faith ✝️ *** The law (cart) before my faith (horse) - Working my way to heaven doing whatever is necessary under the law in Galatians 3:21, 23, "Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed... Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law!" *** My faith (horse) before the law (cart) - Believing in what Jesus has done for me is sufficient and has secured my place in heaven in Galatians 3:22, 24-25, "But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe...So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian!" *** The resulting observation in Galatians 3:26-29, "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise!" ******* Live like this in Galatians 2:16, 19-21, "know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified...For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Amen!
Pam—limited edition LOL, loved that. Praying you & Max are safe in your traveling and (if driving? I assume) that you enjoy that quality time together. When Paul and I drive distances we like to listen to comedy. I discovered that Angel Studios —the production company who produces “The Chosen”, has a “thing” on You Tube (or you can pay for the app). It is called Dry Bar and it is all clean comedy. Some is Godly and inspirational. We had never come across Ken Davis before but he is so very funny and uplifting. One of his shows, Under the Influence, he starts with a lot of funny but further and further in he tells you truths about what God means to him. If you miss clean comedy this is a place to go and it supports Christian based media. Have a good weekend everyone!
Amen, Vicky G. LFF, lets all pray for Bruce that he may come "under the influence" of God and feel and know His presence in his life. Have a blessed night, all . It's JustMe
Oh Bruce, that’s just it! He tells how he is under the influence of God no matter what is going on around him or what other opinions other people may have (his joke here is how God took care of his 3 grandchildren in a car accident as opposed to a cow when other people were worried about the cow!). Oh that we may be influenced by the One who really matters.
I subscribed (free) to Dry Bar Comedy on YouTube for a long time and loving it :-)
Coincidentally, this morning I was thinking about “under the Influence (though having never heard of the program you refer to)”. I look at who we are under the influence of. And I wish it were funny; instead it’s disheartening.
"Lord Jesus, my heart is restless until it rests in you. Help me to live in your presence and in the knowledge of your great love for me. May I seek to please you in all that I do, say, and think." Amen
Faith: "I believe though I do not comprehend, & I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind." St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Amen... thank you Sr. Chris
Whose word am I hearing (and following) as I ready myself for the decisions of the day?
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to 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.