Luke 5:13 (A Healing Touch)

Let's welcome God today by reflecting on this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (website, Facebook), based on Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it." Luke 5:13 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "When we suffer, whether from a physical ailment or from our sins, we may feel unapproachable and isolated. I suspect that the leper in the gospel story had such feelings. We not only need the healing power of Jesus, but we also need the way in which he brings healing through his touch." by Fr. Paul J. Fasano

Rich's comments: Touch is the most important of the 5 senses and sometimes the most neglected. According to the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute (TRI), a leading scientific center devoted to exploring the effects of touch on health, touch has many positive effects. Touch facilitates weight gain in preterm infants, enhances attentiveness, alleviates depressive symptoms, reduces pain, reduces stress hormones, and improves immune function. Michelangelo really understood the importance of touch when he painted God extending a hand toward Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Lord, make me an extension of Your healing touch. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion to others or by using the "invite people to join" link on the Facebook Group. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list.

* NEW: Don't underestimate the healing power of touch. Give someone a hug today.

* NEW: Please read Sr. Francelle's devotion (Bitter or Better?) and decide whether you will allow life's trials to make you bitter or better.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death in America (23% of pregnancies). Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas in footnote below.

* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/despair, prisoners, politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP, Rebekah), Shantelle Castle (special intention), Health care reform bill, Shannon Ketchum (Grandma passed away), Michael Moon (thanksgiving for Metanoia).

Faith Quote: "Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work. " - Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. 'If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn't, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.'

* Fasting: Let's fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, pornography, bitterness, criticalness, impatience, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).

* Defend the unborn: 'Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don't stand back and let them die' (Prov 24:11). 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you' (Jer 1:5). 'It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish' (Blessed Mother Teresa).

* Evangelization: Let's make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead a friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ's example of selfless love, mercy, and service (Matt 28:19).