I find a strange comfort in noting that even in Jesus’ time people, like the Pharisees, “lengthened their tassels” (v. 5) to make observing and obeying religious rules easier on themselves. I hate to admit how often I find myself making excuses or finding reasons to justify why I choose to ignore Church guidelines, rules or obligations. This “Do what I say, not what I do” defiance may even be shrouded in good intentions, for example, if what I say comes out of a desire for something better for my children.
But if I’m truthful, it is still phony, even hypocritical. I can’t give my children or grandchildren what I don’t have. Or as Jesus emphasizes in today’s Gospel, “…do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” On the other hand, to face my mistakes and shortcomings for the sake of my children takes great courage and genuine humility. Now that is an honest path I humbly desire to walk.
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.
Thank you, Maria, for this reflection. A lot of food for thought. "You will never be happy if your happiness depends on getting solely what you want. Change the focus, get a new center, will what God wills, and your joy no man shall take from you." Bl. Fulton Sheen
*** Listen to how Jesus described the Pharisees (who did everything according to the law) and the tax collectors (sinners who have humble hearts) of His days in Luke 18:9-14, "Jesus told a story to some people who were sure they were right with God. They looked down on everyone else. He said to them, “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed. ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people,’ he said. ‘I am not like robbers or those who do other evil things. I am not like those who commit adultery. I am not even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. And I give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood farther away than the Pharisee. He would not even look up to heaven. He brought his hand to his heart and prayed. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner.’ “I tell you, the tax collector went home accepted by God. But not the Pharisee. All those who lift themselves up will be made humble. And those who make themselves humble will be lifted up.” *** I am not a sinner because I sin, I sin because I am a sinner! *** It is not what I do but What Jesus has done in Ephesians 2:8-10, "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. We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do!" ******* It is all about Christ Jesus in 2 Corinthians 3:3b-6, "You are a letter written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. You are a letter written not on tablets made out of stone but on human hearts. Through Christ, we can be sure of this before God. In ourselves we are not able to claim anything for ourselves. The power to do what we do comes from God. He has given us the power to serve under a new covenant. The covenant is not based on the written Law of Moses. It comes from the Holy Spirit. The written Law kills, but the Spirit gives life!" Amen ❤️✝️❤️
******* Starting a 40-day prayer journal specifically for my daughter, Katie, the self proclaim agnostic to come back and walk with Jesus, her Savior and soon to be Lord ✝️ *** Day nine – Praise You Lord Jesus for loving us and giving us new hearts and Your Spirit ❤️ *** Ezikiel 36:25-27, “I will sprinkle pure water on you. Then you will be ‘clean.’ I will make you completely pure and ‘clean.’ I will take all the statues of your gods away from you. I will give you new hearts. I will give you a new spirit that is faithful to me. I will remove your stubborn hearts from you. I will give you hearts that obey me. I will put my Spirit in you. I will make you want to obey My rules. I want you to be careful to keep My laws!” Amen ✝️ *** It is not what we do but what You have done and will do for Katie in Ezekiel 18:31, “Get rid of all the evil things you have done. Let me give you a new heart and a new spirit. Then you will be faithful to me. Why should you die, people of Israel?” Lead Katie not into temptation but deliver her from the evil one, Amen ✝️
AMEN!
One year ago today my husband of nearly 33 years suffered a very serious heart attack and was rushed by ambulance from our house directly to the cardiac cath area. He ended up having 2 stents placed over the course of 2 days . I asked the LFF for prayers for his successful recovery at a time when I was knee deep in anxiety and worry during several very difficult days . I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you in the LFF as I am happy to report that today he is healthy and we are all indeed counting our blessings. This community of faith is priceless and I am honored to be a part of it. Many many thanks and blessings to all of you.
MB, thanks for sharing this with us. So happy he is healthy and it was a good outcome!
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10.
What a wonderful outcome. Prayers received are the best best gifts ever. So happy for you guys
Great news, Mary Beth. What a great praying family we have in LF!
Ken, Offering prayers for Chris now.
Maria thank you for your thoughts. I truly believe that God knows the honesty in our hearts and when done out of love and prayer even if we make a mistake he understands. God knows our human-ness eh? Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. Prayers for the Popes full recovery and may we all in our daily lives spread the love of God through all the world. Prayers for our world leaders to know the love of God and to be filled with Gods spirit to lead this country under God for the GOOD OF ALL!
Amen to your prayer below, Stormi ❤️
HOLY GOD We thank you for the gracious gift of faith, with the apostles before us we ask that you open our hearts to the power of your word and increase our faith. That we may be bold followers and joyful witnesses to the message and mission of your son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Amen. :)
Amen!
Waiting for Chris to get occupies endo and colon. Large medical center downtown. Comfortable sest enjoying the sunrise. Prayers requests for successful procedures. Ken
Dear Lord, please walk with Chris on this journey and provide a clear and accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Provide him and his family with your healing comfort. Amen.
Keeping you and Chris in my prayers, Ken.
Praying along side you, Ken ✝️ that you enjoy God's providence of peace and sunshine while you wait and that the procedure with Chris goes smoothly without incident and with results to identify the source of discomfort and solution to make the inflammation go away! Amen!
Praying for positive results, Ken. May the Lord's peace be with you while you wait.
Sending prayers for a good outcome on all procedures. May the Lord Bless you and yours.
Prayers for Chris! Blessings to you Ken
Praying for the Pope. Praying for immigrants, for workers losing their jobs, and for the poor, hungry and sick across the world who are in need of food and medical aid. Praying for Ukraine and its people.
Amen
Amen... thank you Marìa
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Joining all of you in a special way today, in prayers and petitions, and always, in praise for the goodness of our Lord! Thank you for your witness of faith!!