Sometimes a meal can accomplish more than fifty lectures or one hundred homilies. Meals are often where the real work gets done, be it in international diplomacy, the workplace or families. It is how we reach out to others in a moment of shared humanity and really listen.
But nothing communicates the disdain of the Pharisees and scribes as much as this statement. The self-righteous are too proud to inspire repentance.
How brilliant that Jesus would bring together the “lost sheep” and connect with them over a meal, sharing food, wine and conversation. And why would the Lord not do this? As his two parables in this Gospel show us, the lost sheep is worth saving. The lost coin is worth the effort to find.
Experts commenting on society’s polarization woes say sometimes bringing folks together for a meal and conversation is one way to tear down our walls.
Spiritual Riches: "Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich." St. Gregory of Nazianzen I spent wonderful time yesterday at Eucharistic Adoration, visiting with Jesus; then went for a walk in a park. So soothing for the soul. Prayers for all LFF needs.
Living faith family I have good news my friend and plumber Dave reports that his sister Kimberly has rang the bell at her cancer facility. She is cancer free. We have been praying for her. Thanks for your prayers. Ken
Ken, FANTASTIC. May many more get to ring that bell as they fight that horrible disease. Amen.
Great news! So glad she beat cancer.
And God in Divine Wisdom offers us these reading today, post election for our guidance and instruction. We do not believe in miracles, we depend on them everyday. Let us invite someone over in fellowship today.
Ah with Thanksgiving right around the corner what a great reflection Greg. A warm meal on a cold day and a cold drink on a hot day reminds us of the soothing support from God. Then to share that with others makes it so wonderful. May Gods meal be with us all now and forever. Laura is home with medications to ease her pain. So far they don't think she will lose her arm hallelujah. Thank you LFF for all your prayers. May God bless each and everyone of you and his children in need. May Gods love guide all to a more peaceful safe and loving world.
Dear Lord, please continue to protect Laura and aid her in the healing process. We are lifting her today that she may continue to feel God’s presence on her journey. Amen.
Stormi, what great news for Laura. I was stunned when you asked for prayers for her after her ordeal with a donkey. Please let her know that we are praying for her and lifting her up to our Lord. Blessings, Rita.
Stormi great news. I am praying for you and Laura as well as VickyG and Garrett right now. New priest in our parish family please pray for his successful transformation. Ken
I still remember my college days to be invited to a Chinese church in Denton Texas on Sundays! I went not because I believe, it is because the meal after every Sunday service!!! It would be another 25 years before I came to Christ!!! Praise Jesus for never giving up on His lost sheep ✝️ *** Hear Paul's warning on following the law without heart change in Philippians 3:1-2, "Further, my brothers and sisters, be joyful because you belong to the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write about some important matters to you again. If you know about them, you will have a safe path to follow. Watch out for those dogs. They are people who do evil things. When they circumcise, it is nothing more than a useless cutting of the body!" *** Hear Paul's testimony of his past following the law in Philippians 3:4-7, "I have many reasons to trust in who I am and what I have done. Someone else may think they have reasons to trust in these things. But I have even more. I was circumcised on the eighth day. I am part of the people of Israel. I am from the tribe of Benjamin. I am a pure Hebrew. As far as the law is concerned, I am a Pharisee. As far as being committed is concerned, I opposed and attacked the church. As far as keeping the law is concerned, I kept it perfectly. I thought things like that were really something great. But now I consider them to be nothing because of Christ!" *** Hear what Paul thought since he met Jesus in Philippians 3:3, 8-9, "But we have been truly circumcised. We serve God by the power of His Spirit. We boast about what Christ Jesus has done. We don’t put our trust in who we are or what we can do...Even more, I consider everything to be nothing compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. To know Him is worth much more than anything else. Because of Him I have lost everything. But I consider all of it to be garbage so I can know Christ better. I want to be joined to Him. Being right with God does not come from my obeying the law. It comes because I believe in Christ. It comes from God because of faith!" ******* How about you? Have you met Jesus? Do you pay attention and focus on obeying the law or do you pay attention and focus on Jesus? It is NOT one or the other! It is one (Jesus) BEFORE the other (law)! It is NOT this one (law) before the other (Jesus)! *** Do you think the Pharisees are lost sheep? They think following the law is being a committed Jew as Paul did :-( *** Do you try to follow all the church laws/traditions to be a good Christian? *** Or do you try to follow Jesus, His Word and the Holy Spirit to be a Christ follower?
What a wonderful prayer yesterday Jane. Stormi, your friend is prayed for, I hope she has access to care as good as Garrett has had so far. Everyone’s prayers have made all the difference and this incident and all the prayer will surely give me a lot to ponder about Our Heavenly Father and Jesus’ teachings in words and actions on prayer—-how and why doesn’t matter just that we have faith that our voices mean something in heaven is the first step. Garrett is as well as can be expected. There are some areas of the hand that aren’t looking too good, it was an unclean environment when it happened. The need to debride looks probable as well as 2 separate skin grafts. We will be traveling to Atlanta early Monday morning for a 2 day stay for the doc and team to assess the next step and next surgery. He asked if he could go to church this Sunday, the doc said yes it would be good for his mental health to be around people just protect the arm. In all the emotions I’m going through, the fact he asked specifically to go to church made me feel joy. Again prayers for you all while I’m doing those long car rides. I hope to share my rosary reflections with you all in the future….the serenity that the contemplation of Christ’s life in each decade has been my sea of peace. May God’s watchful eye be upon each one of you and may you feel it in your heart.
Vicky, walking with you and Garrett on this journey. Remember, you don’t have to see the whole stairway. Just keep taking that next step. Asking for his Guardian Angels to continue protecting his arm and light his way during the healing process. Amen.
VickyG, thank you for Garretts' update. Please tell him that we're all praying for him, that he is in our prayers constantly. And you too! May the Lord shine his light upon you all. Love, Rita.
Vicky G...you never cease to amaze me! With all that you have going on, you still manage to remember "us" in prayer! You are truly a living example of God's grace. God Bless you, Garrett and all who love him, and God Speed all your travels.
Vicky G. continued prayers for Garrett. Safety for your travels and may God be with all his caretakers.
Dear Lord please bless our new President and his family and staff as he starts his new job. Also bless all the staff that fought so very hard and lost . Let everyone work together as one and no one be divided. This country needs you more now then ever. May God bless America and everyone in it. Let’s all share a meal together and get along, it does not take much. Thank you bless us all.
God bless us every one!
AMEN!! Kindness matters!!
Amen
AMEN!!!
I'm willing to admit that I have been a lost sheep at times in my life. I am forever grateful that He came looking for me, helped me get my mind right and put me on the correct path.
And continued prayers for a smooth road ahead
Amen.
Amen brother.
Thank you Greg for posting about the importance of building trust and community through the shared table. Jesus taught us well. Continued prayers for those needing help, medical healing, comfort, rest from anxiety and maybe just a hug to know that they are not alone and that God still has their picture on His refrigerator. Amen.
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
Amen... thank you Greg...prayers going out to those in need and the entire world
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Greg, thank you for your reflection that was a meal for our souls in so many ways. I've been nourished and strengthened by your gracious words.