"I prayed to the Lord, my God, and confessed." Daniel 9:4 (full readings)
Rich's Reflections: Our ears can become plugged with our sins, making us hard of hearing with the Word of God. However, God can clean out our ears with prayer, fasting, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). The Sacraments are Biblically based gifts from God for staying close to Him. During the Sacrament of Baptism (John 3:5), all of our sins are removed, including Original Sin (Adam and Eve); however, we will again need reconciliation with God when we fall short (sin). The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a spiritual hearing aid that is sometimes avoided because a person does not want to confess their sins out of fear, embarrassment, or pride. Also, some believe that this Sacrament is not necessary because they can receive forgiveness with God on their own, which is certainly possible. However, Scripture encourages us to confess our sins to another (James 5:16), to facilitate contrition and for supportive counsel. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, ordained priests give supportive counsel and have the authority to assure us that our sins are forgiven (John 20:21-23)...and most importantly we receive God's Sacramental grace to help us heal and not repeat our sins. Pope John Paul II apparently used the Sacrament of Reconciliation daily, primarily to receive the gift of God's grace. Even after a dramatic conversion (metanoia) that marks full reconciliation and the beginning of a new life in grace, we will still need the Sacrament of Reconciliation to remove future sin. We must continually seek and accept God's forgiveness, which empowers us to forgive ourselves and others. Lord, open my ears through the powerful healing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Amen.
Faith Challenge: During these 40 days of Lent, let God clean out your ears with the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that you may more clearly hear Him calling you.
* “The worst attack…ever.”: "That’s what Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards recently called the all-out effort to defund the abortion giant. And it’s true. Never in its 95-year history has Planned Parenthood been this vulnerable."
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Faith Quote: "We sin not because we want what is evil, but because we want what isn't good enough." ~ Scott Hahn (Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession)
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa
* Evangelize:Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.
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