Jonah 1:3 (Ticket to Tarshish)

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"But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the Lord. He went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and went aboard to journey with them to Tarshish, away from the Lord." ~ Jonah 1:3 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: In today's reading, God gave Jonah a mission to travel to Nineveh and preach to the people to repent of their wickedness. However, Jonah was reluctant to do what the Lord had asked of him, because he hated the Ninevites, who were oppressive enemies of the Jews. Therefore, Jonah took a ticket to Tarshish, and ran away from God's command. Isn't this typical of many of us today? God calls us to follow Him, and we decide to evade His calling. Like foolish Jonah, we take a ticket to Tarshish. Whenever we put anything before our duty to God, we are following in the steps of Jonah. The ticket to Tarshish is the easy way; it is the convenient way; it is man's way. Don't run away from the Lord; don't try to avoid the Truth for God may have to make a storm in your life to save you. Lord, the waters of my life are peaceful when I follow You. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Are your own desires getting in the way of following God's commands? Cancel your ticket to Tarshish and follow God's calling.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,Vatican, Project Rachel.

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Feast Day: Saint Adalgott

Faith Quote: "Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is." ~ unknown author

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

* 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 (22% 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.