March 2, 2025
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
No Labor Is in Vain
...be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

The life of any disciple is one of fits and starts, of sin, of mercy and reconciliation. The saints walked that same path, no matter how finished they might appear to us now. It is tempting to get frustrated as we compare ourselves to that (incorrect) vision of holiness, but as St. Paul himself writes here, when we sincerely put God first, none of our labor for the Kingdom is in vain.

Lent, that most welcomed season of honest self-examination, begins in a few days. As one of those companions on the journey—Dorothy Day—a woman acutely aware of her own failings, yet also confident that the Lord’s work through her weakness was not in vain, encourages: This is Lent, and Lent is a wonderful time to begin again.

Jesus, let your love work through me even in my weakness and doubt.

- Amy Welborn

Sirach 27:4-7 ✚ Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16 ✚ 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 ✚ Luke 6:39-45
Wooden path to the beach. Image by Aperture Vintage | stock.adobe.com
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Comments

March 3, 2025 at 05:28 AM

Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. 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.

March 2, 2025 at 12:47 PM

Thank you, Amy, for this reflection. I am looking forward to Lent. Meditating & working on improving myself from the inside out as well as praying for others. "Success in life consists of standing without shame before God." St. Charles Makhlouf

March 2, 2025 at 09:53 AM

Amen. :)

March 2, 2025 at 08:49 AM

Amen!

March 2, 2025 at 08:40 AM

Amen.

March 2, 2025 at 08:11 AM

Since you asked Ken, today is Garrett’s birthday and asking God to make it a better year for him than last. And my older son, a non-believer but a good person, just signed a contract on a house and I will be praying feverishly throughout lent that all goes smoothly with the sale of the home and, as he no longer lives with us, that his relationship with the Heavenly Father will bloom. I will be praying for our group as a whole and for each of you by name throughout this Lenten season as well! PS Ken, I absolutely prayers for those departed and living who have no one to pray for them have befitted immensely through your encouragement here!

jane
March 3, 2025 at 05:31 AM

Happiest of birthdays to Garrett! May this next year allow him to benefit from strength, persistence and hope. Amen.

Kjc
March 2, 2025 at 07:25 PM

Padre Pio's saying from wisdom of the saints " Every day when your heart especially feels the loneliness of life, pray Bill I did pray for you and your daughter, Vicky G for you and your son's and Garrett birthday. Peggy you and Zachary. Living faith family I Just got a call from Tim D a friend who rented a cottage on Lake Ontario to our family for many years. He tells me that his wife Marilyn went to be with the Lord please keep him and her in your prayers. Was a pleasant conversation with him telling me of his memories with Kathy and our families. When arriving in n. The summer, we parked up by the road. Then had to carry our stuff down to the cottage located near the lake. Kathy would immediately go to the main house and visit with marilyn and Tim while we serfs did the hauling of stuff. Always resented that ploy but now I realize Kathy was doing God's work. Tim told me this morning that her visits were the highlight of their year. Posting now as I am done with adoration chaple. Ken

Irene
March 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM

Happy Birthday Blessings to Garrett. May his healing continue.

RITA
March 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM

Vicky, please tell Garrett,, Happy Birthday from us all. And thank you for your prayers. You and your family will be in mine too.

Cheryl
March 2, 2025 at 10:36 AM

Happy birthday to Garrett..... many thanks for all your prayers for us

peggyR
March 2, 2025 at 09:49 AM

Good morning, Vicky! Many good wishes for a very happy birthday to Garrett and a year that’s filled with bright new beginnings! Wishing the best for your older son and. the purchase of his new home. Both my sons have become non believers and it breaks my heart, but I have put my complete trust in God that all will be well and in my humble opinion, Our Lord will continue to love them, no matter what. Thank you Vicky, for remembering my Zachary and your prayers and encouragement for him. It’s been such a rocky road and we’ve had lots of tears and disappointments. I know the Lord has a plan for him and I will stick with him like a fly on honey. God bless you, Vicky. ❤️

Faith
March 2, 2025 at 09:08 AM

Blessings, healing and a very happy birthday wished and prayed for your Garret today, Vicky!

March 2, 2025 at 07:44 AM

*** Being a disciple is a slave for Jesus in Colossians 3:23-24, “Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are slaves of the Lord Christ!” *** Jesus’ power working in my weaknesses in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, “Three times I (Paul) begged the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I (Paul) am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me!” *** Not my labor but the work of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26-27, “But the Father will send the Friend in My Name (Jesus) to help you. The Friend is the Holy Spirit. He will teach you all things. He will remind you of everything I have said to you. I leave My peace with you. I give My peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid!” ******* My prayer for the LFFamily in Romans 15:13, “May the God Who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in Him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope!” Amen ❤️✝️❤️

RITA
March 2, 2025 at 11:20 AM

Thank you, Salina. May the Holly Spirit fill us all with hope! Amen.

March 2, 2025 at 06:09 AM

BLESS MORNING LOVE DAD FOREVER My prayer May God grant us the grace to walk in humility, always seeking to build up others in love and truth. May He shape our hearts to reflect His kindness and wisdom in all that we do. Keep pressing into Him! O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for your name's sake. Amen

March 2, 2025 at 05:31 AM

Jesus, Comforter of all the suffering, help us bring Your comfort into every heart and life to which You are longing to express that comfort through us. Use us, Lord. Our years may be many or few. Place us where we can best serve You, and influence the most for You. Amen.

March 2, 2025 at 03:59 AM

To Ken, if it's not too late, for my daughter trying to reduce her pain med dependence.

Robert
March 2, 2025 at 08:27 AM

To Bill, I will pray for your daughter today. May her pain and her dependance be diminished.

Wooden path to the beach. Image by Aperture Vintage | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

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