“May the Force be with you.” This phrase is used in the movie Star Wars as a parting wish to another. It essentially wishes good luck. In one way, it is not that different from what we say today at our partings: goodbye—which is a contraction for “God be with you.” But, as today’s psalm reminds us, the Jedi’s “goodbye” is very different from our biblical tradition. For us, God is not a force; God has a face.
Once during a retreat, I scribbled in my journal, “When I come to God’s doorstep each day in prayer, I will meet not merely a force but a face. God is not an It. God is a person, someone who desires a relationship with me.”
- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
*** Jesus is actually right outside my door knocking in Revelation 3:20, "Here I am (Jesus)! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in. I will eat with that person, and they will eat with Me.!" *** Jesus said in Mark 4:23, "Whoever has ears should listen!” *** Revelation 13:9, "Whoever has ears should listen!" ******* Listen and open the door to Jesus' knock on your door! Don't wait to knock on the door yourself when it is too late!!! *** Luke 13:25, "The owner of the house will get up and close the door. Then you will stand outside knocking and begging. You will say, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But He will answer, ‘I don’t know you. And I don’t know where you come from.’" *** Matthew 25:11-12, "“Later, the other bridesmaids also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ “But He replied, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. I don’t know you.’" *** Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do what my Father in heaven wants will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord! Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in Your Name? Didn’t we drive out demons in Your Name? Didn’t we do many miracles in Your Name?’ Then I will tell them clearly, ‘I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who do evil!’"
Thank you for the beautiful reflection Sr. Melannie. May God’s grace keeps us in personal relationship with Him always. Thank you for your prayers for Brenda, her biopsy came back benign!!! Amen. Asking God to guide my oldest son. He’s made some mistakes that are now coming back to haunt him. Ken, sending light to all those on your prayer list: Craig, Debbie, Anna, Amy Stephanie and Christine. Also asking for God to ensure the healing from your dental surgery. God, continue to bless Jessi on her journey. Amen.
" God is not satisfied with appearance. God wants the garment of justice. God wants His Christians dressed in love." St. Oscar Romero
Blessings to all LF family. A prayer of Thanksgiving for me… A few months ago, I asked for prayers for my frozen shoulder as I was having an injection that week. Unfortunately, the first one was in the wrong spot and did not work. Yesterday, I had a second steroid injection in a different location with success… Praise God! On a separate note, I ask for prayers for my daughter Katie, who has elevated markers on a blood test suggesting an autoimmune disorder. Further tests needed… Please pray for Katie’s physical and spiritual healing and restoration! Thank you all and God bless! -Jamie
Jamie, so happy to hear about the effectiveness of the second shot for your shoulder! May Katie experience clarity and accuracy in her diagnosis. Amen.
Jaimie, lifting Katie up to our Lord to please help her and take care of her. And may our Lord help you too with your frozen shoulder. Blessings, Rita.
Jamie...Oh happy day, thanking God for your successful pain relief! And yes, please know I will tuck Katie in my prayers for her overall well being through God's healing love.
Please pray for me today that my test results come out negative! (Or at least treatable) Thx
Larry, praying that you receive a clear and accurate diagnosis from your tests, so you can move forward with treatment and/or healing. Amen.
Larry, praying that the Lord will be with you.
Praying for you, Larry, in Jeremiah 29:11-13, “I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. Then you will call out to Me. You will come and pray to Me. And I will listen to you. When you look for Me with all your heart, you will find Me!”
Larry...Absolutely! Praying for God blessed negative reports, and if not completely, praying they may be manageable. God Bless.
AMEN!
Sr. Melannie what a pleasant way to think of the face of God in prayer. Thank you. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs today and for the deceased souls in the plane crash. It's so hard to understand something like this. May we all continue to spread the love of God through all the world. Extra Prayers these days for the Holy Spirit to enter the hearts of the new president and his cabinet. May they lead this country with the faith and love of God. Fairness, Love, Hope, Peace and Faith.
Amen!
Amen!
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those who have been hurt, killed and impacted 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
Amen. :)
What a beautiful reflection today. Much gratitude.
Goodbye.
Condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in the DC plane crash. May God have mercy on all the souls lost in that crash RIP. Please pray for them. Thank you
Amen.
Jesus had the same question! *** Matthew 27:46, “About three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He said, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, My God, why have You deserted Me?” (Psalm 22:1)” *** Mark 15:34, “At three o’clock in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, My God, why have You deserted Me?” (Psalm 22:1)” *** Psalm 22! ******* Here is what Job found out after everything (losing his whole family, his animals and his health) happened to him out of the blue in Job 42:1-3, “Job replied to the Lord, “I know that You can do anything. No one can keep You from doing what You plan to do. You asked me, ‘Who do you think you are to disagree with My plans? You do not know what you are talking about.’ I spoke about things I didn’t completely understand. I talked about things that were too wonderful for me to know!”
Why Lord? Why do tragedies like this happen? Lord, give us, and especially the families of those killed in this crash, the graces we need to deal with terrible events like this. Strengthen our faith, Lord.
AMEN!
Amen!
Amen
Amen! Please pray for my husband Paul that his procedure goes well tomorrow, forever grateful, thank you.
AD, lifting Paul in prayer right now that his procedure goes well tomorrow and he returns safely home. Amen.
AD, praying for Paul to feel the Lords' presence and rest assured the Lord will be with him.
AD...Yes, I will be praying for Paul ~ and you. God Bless Paul and all who love him, and all those who will care for him.
Prayers for Paul, the whole family and all the medical personnel that will be helping him
Amen
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A tragic day in D.C. today with so many lives lost. Also including AD and Paul, Larry S, Jamie and Katie in my nightly rosary for positive prayer results.