This Gospel couldn’t come at a better time.
Right now, squarely in the middle of Lent, when we’re weary of going meatless, skipping desserts, scraping our fingers on empty holy water fonts and remembering sins we’d rather forget, maybe we’re starting to think, “I’m never going to get this right.” But then this passage from Luke comes along to say: “Keep at it. God isn’t giving up on you.”
One beautiful gift of this season is time. When we backslide, slip up, forget or just fall back into sins we’ve tried to overcome, we’re reminded that we can begin again. Ours is a faith of second (and third and fourth) chances. Every one of us is a work in progress. Lent reminds us of that. Often.
Take a moment this day to ask: How can I better tend my garden?
The God who created us and loves us is giving us the blessed gift of time. How can we make it more fruitful?
We had a visiting priest at mass today, actually he is leading a 3-night mission. His homily was powerful and centered on how so many believe that they are in control when in reality, it is God who is in charge. Bonnie L, part of his message is for all of us in the LFF who have grown children who have left their faith. Just thrown 2,000 years of history out the window because they want to do religion on their terms, not on God’s terms. I’m looking forward to the next few nights of his message. Stormi, condolences on the loss of your beloved horse. You gave him much love and comfort, I know he felt that love. Peace and blessings to all of you in this coming week.
Sometimes I have a hard time with understanding my daughter’s request to not be in her life. I think about how we stopped talking and why. As far as I know she no longer practices her faith. I know someday she will have a change of heart and want us to be apart of her life. Until then I was asked could you possibly write her a note saying how much I miss her and love her. I have written it yet I’m waiting for the words from God. I pray for those who have family members who no longer practice their faith. Prayers for Maria and her daughter Liana, Salina and her daughter Katie, Stormi and my condolences for the loss of your horse.
And He will, Bonnie! Matthew 10:19b-20, “…don’t worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the right words to say. It will not be you speaking. The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you!” *** Psalm 46:10, “He says, “Be still, and know that I AM God. I will be honored among the nations. I will be honored in the earth!”
Ken, I do have a somewhat spotty account of married priests. I have two Presbyterian priests converted into Catholic in my diocese that are indeed married, one with children. Pope Gregory VII in 1075 forbade married priests but before that, it was up to the region they lived in. Peter, the first pope, was married. Jesus cured his MIL. As to any doctorand on it, it varies with the early times. Hope this helps. Bill
Celibacy was not demanded till 11 century. It's a form of sacrifice like and other limitation. I don't believe it adds to holiness of any priest.
Stormy Prayers of peace and comfort on the loss of your horse
Amen.
Good Works: "A tree is known by its fruit; a man by gis deeds. A good deed is never lost; He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love." St. Basil the Great
Correction: his not gis
Sending hugs and prayers of peace to you today, Stormi. Oh how we love our pets and care for them with love and kindness. You did that for your horse and that star let you know that he’s ok. Blessings to you and your family, Dear Stormi.
Deacon Greg thank you for your comments this morning. Time is something we all have but most never appreciate it. Sharing the wisdom of the saints this morning and Padre Pio's saying. Oh how precious time is! Blessed are those who know how to make use of it, because on the day of judgment, all will have to render or strict account of it to the supreme judge. Padre Pio's statement for today. Wisdom of the saints today is "The Lord is loving onto man, and swift to pardon, but slow to punish. Let no man, therefore despair of his own salvation" Saint Cyril of Jerusalem. Ken
Stormi I will pray for you right now I know how much you loved your horse you are a special person. Thanks for sharing your message and feelings. Ken
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 fourteen - There is none like You, Lord! Micah 7:18-19, “Lord, who is a God like you? You forgive sin. You forgive your people when they do what is wrong. You don’t stay angry forever. Instead, You take delight in showing your faithful love to them. Once again You will show loving concern for us. You will completely wipe out the evil things we’ve done. You will throw all our sins into the bottom of the sea!” *** Thank You, Lord God, the great I AM, for sending Your only Son to pay for our sins, Katie’s and my sins ✝️! *** You are Who You are, the great I AM! Psalm 103:1-3, 8-9, “I will praise the Lord. Deep down inside me, I will praise Him. I will praise Him, because His Name is holy. I will praise the Lord. I won’t forget anything He does for me (and Katie!). He forgives all my (our) sins. He heals all my (our) sicknesses. The Lord is tender and kind. He is gracious. He is slow to get angry. He is full of love. He won’t keep bringing charges against us. He won’t stay angry with us forever,” And I say Amen ✝️
*** What is happening in Exodus 3:2, “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him (Moses) from inside a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire. But it didn’t burn up!” *** What is gong on in Exodus 3:6, “He continued, “I am the God of your father. I am the God of Abraham. I am the God of Isaac. And I am the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard that, he turned his face away. He was afraid to look at God!” *** Only in and with the presence of God that we can be in the midst of hurts, rejections, sufferings, etc that we don’t get consumed (burn up)! ******* Remember God’s Name, “I AM!” in Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, “I AM Who I AM! Here is what you must say to the Israelites. Tell them, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” *** The only way to bear fruit in John 15:5, “I AM the vine. You are the branches. If you remain joined to Me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without Me!” *** 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, “Brothers and sisters, I want you to know something about our people who lived long ago. They were all led by the cloud. They all walked through the Red Sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food. They all drank the same spiritual water. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them. That rock was Christ. But God was not pleased with most of them. Their bodies were scattered in the desert!” *** It is not what we do, but What I AM has done! It is not who we are (a child of God), but Who He is…the great I AM! Amen✝️
Paul went on to say the same thing Brian was explaining in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, “ I don’t want you to have anything to worry about. A single man is concerned about the Lord’s matters. He wants to know how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the matters of this world. He wants to know how he can please his wife. His concerns pull him in two directions. A single woman or a virgin is concerned about the Lord’s matters. She wants to serve the Lord with both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the matters of this world. She wants to know how she can please her husband. I’m saying those things for your own good. I’m not trying to hold you back. I want you to be free to live in a way that is right. I want you to give yourselves completely to the Lord!”
This may help…Here is what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9, “I say those things to you as my advice, not as a command. I wish all of you were single like me. But you each have your own gift from God. One has this gift, and another has that one. I speak now to those who are not married. I also speak to widows. It is good for you to stay single like me. But if you can’t control yourselves, you should get married. It is better to get married than to burn with desire!”
Salina your the expert what do you think. Priests Yesterday went to visit my friend Terry, it was Saturday so Brian and I went after Mass. She was happy to see Brian and asked us if we knew why the Catholic Church does not allow priests to marry. I didn't have answer Brian thought it had to do with being distracted. Living faith family I am asking for your thoughts. I will relate to her as I see her every day. Ken
Stormi, extra prayers today for peace in your heart. Let the tears fall, they too are a part of our humanness with which God created us.
Amen
Thank you Greg. I woke up early this morning still upset over how someone handled a recent situation. In prayer the Lord showed me how I missed a valuable teaching moment. Your reflection reminded me that there will be other chances that I will not miss if I keep Jesus in the center of my life. Trust in the Lord. It's going to be OK.
Thank you , Deacon Greg, for this much needed reminder. We’re constantly being assaulted by the Evil One in many different ways. I want to do what’s right, but I fail frequently (Romans 7:14-25). Yet God reminds us His Spirit is with us and we are His children! (Romans 8:16). I continue to ask for His Grace, and He continues to give it to me (and ALL of us!). I pray we all keep bearing good fruit!
I agree wholeheartedly (Amen!), Terry!
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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.