There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Luke 12:2 (full readings)
Steve's Reflections:
* I attended a Life Teen Leadership Conference (youth ministry) in Houston, TX this past week. One of the speakers talked about leading the youth to a personal encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and why so many teens' hands, hearts, and bodies are chained in concrete. Why won't they come to Jesus? His response was edifying: "The same tongues that we invite to praise the God of the universe took his name in vain on the drive over...The same feet that we invite to dance before the Lord carried them into the party where they got high the night before...The same hands that we are inviting to join all creation in praising their savior Jesus Christ were all over their girlfriend the night before." Wow...our Father in heaven invites us all into relationship with his son Jesus no matter our sin, no matter our failings, for it is Jesus that "makes all things new." Salvation is free and available for each of us if we but ask.
* Psalm 139:23-24 beautifully illustrates the futility of hiding from God, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Nothing escapes the eye of God. All our ways and our paths are known to Him. Yet we sheepishly put our head in the sand and hold onto our frailty in the darkness of our stony hearts. Why?
* Today's verse from Luke captures the inescapable reality that our merciful Father is desperately seeking after us with reckless abandon. Our Father in heaven desires to lavish His blessings upon us, His children. True freedom in Christ is possible, but we must first acknowledge our desperate need for the savior, Jesus. To do that we must face our sin. No one can come face to face with God without first facing themselves. No one can experience God and not be changed. Watch this modern day parable of the prodigal son and prepare to be changed...The Prodigal Son.
Faith Challenge: The Father is waiting...what are you waiting for?
Sr. Francelle's Devotion: St. Maximillian Kolbe. One of my favorite saints!
Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life (ends 31 Oct), LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.
* Agreeing to Disagree is Not an Option when Lives are at Stake
* Agreeing to Disagree is Not an Option when Lives are at Stake
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Sara Ragan (healing from the miscarriage of her baby), Kay Castle (Jesi cancer), Leslee Unruh (grandbaby Pierce post-surgery infection)
Feast Day: St. Teresa of Avila. Teresa knew well the continued presence and value of suffering (physical illness, opposition to reform, difficulties in prayer), but she grew to embrace suffering, even desire it: "Lord, either to suffer or to die."
Faith Quote: "Oh, my Lord! How true it is that whoever works for you is paid in troubles! And what a precious price to those who love you if we understand its value." ~ St. Teresa of Avila
Through Christ Our Lord,
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