When my kids were young, I’d ask them to do three or four very simple tasks. At best, they’d complete one or two. I quickly learned that I needed to break it down for them by asking for just a couple tasks at a time. Otherwise, they were overwhelmed.
There are times when I’m overwhelmed by what I should be doing to be a follower of Christ. Especially on the days when I’m sleep-deprived and have a to-do list a mile long, my patience runs short, and my tongue gets sharp. I snap at my kids and feel like the worst disciple Jesus ever called. Then he breaks it down to just two easy steps: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Short and achievable. I apologize for my outburst and then place my day in the hands of the living God whom I trust to see me through to success.
Always makes me think of the acronym KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid ???? . Ken, good to see you back online, we missed your wit and wisdom. Peace and good to all our LFF.
"The Lord is loving unto man, and swift to pardon, but slow to punish. Let no man therefore despair of his own salvation." St. Cyri of Jerusalem. Accept the saving hand of Jesus.
AMEN!
Claire, thank you. I realize my whole life has been baby steps. LOL The steps get smaller as I grow older but still moving forward. That is the wonder of God. :) Miguel A. I love the last line of your prayer "Fill me with the joy of the gospel that your light may shine through me to many others." I truly believe that when others see our peace and happiness they will follow. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days, the wild fires in California to stop and safety for all. May we all go out and spread the love of God through all the world.!
My prayer "Lord Jesus, you have called me personally by name, just as you called your first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Help me to believe your word and follow you faithfully. Fill me with the joy of the gospel that your light may shine through me to many others."
Amen!
Peace to everyone. Amen!
Claire, I love how you make scripture so relatable to everyday life. I find as I get older I'm reverting back to those baby steps. I am so grateful that we have our Lord who consistently forgives us and let's us try again. Continued prayers and have a blessed week LF family.
Claire, two baby steps at first, I thought. Yet, seeking forgiveness and following in the footsteps of the Lord are gigantic steps for me. Good thing Someone is helping me.
“help me to repent and believe in you more”. AMEN .
How true, Claire. We're human, not God. He's always willing to accept an apology. 'I'm sorry Lord for _______"(fill in the blank).
This is triggering for me in Mark 1:15b, "Repent, and believe in the Gospel!" *** We all love the Good News (Gospel) to simply believe! *** But what about the "repent" before the "believe"? *** My text just the other day with the Teaching Director of my Community Bible Study on our current study of Daniel, "I struggled with telling my Bible Study Fellowship (studying Revelation 2024-2025) students (and others) that we deserve God's judgment! No one wants to know that bad news...they just want to know the Good News bypassing the bad news that we are sinners!!!" ******* You see, the Good News is not good news unless there is the bad news tht we are sinners!!! That's why the two step process to success: if we don't recognize that we are sinners before we believe, our view of the Gospel is skewed and distorted :-( *** The bad news and then the Good News in Romans 3:23-24, "Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with Him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free!" *** The bad news and then the Good News in Romans 5:21, "Sin ruled and brought death. But grace rules in the lives of those who are right with God. The grace of God brings eternal life. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done!" *** Teh bad news and then the Good News in Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9, "You were living in your sins and lawless ways. But in fact you were dead. You used to live as sinners when you followed the ways of this world. You served the one who rules over the spiritual forces of evil. He is the spirit who is now at work in those who don’t obey God. At one time we all lived among them. Our desires were controlled by sin. We tried to satisfy what they wanted us to do. We followed our desires and thoughts. God was angry with us like He was with everyone else. That’s because of the kind of people we all were...God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your Salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it!" ******* Don't forget to tell others the reason for the Good News!!!
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.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2025 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those who have been hurt, killed and impbacted by terrorist attacks. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them 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