Luke 5:20 (Forgiveness is Healing)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors schedule. LIFE Minute radio.

"When He saw their faith, he said, 'As for you, your sins are forgiven.'" ~ Luke 5:20 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: Jesus always has forgiveness on His mind. In today's Gospel, a paralyzed man was lowered through the roof on a stretcher and Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven." These words might not have been the first thing on the paralytic's mind who was hoping to walk again, but he probably didn't understand that forgiveness is healing. Jesus is preoccupied with the forgiveness of sin. If we ask Jesus about what we want for Christmas this year, He'll offer to forgive our sins. If we complain about the difficulties in our life, He'll call us to Confession. If we blame our spouse for something, Jesus will talk to us about the plank in our own eye (Mt 7:3). When Jesus thinks of Christmas, He thinks of the forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Go to Confession. Give Jesus the Christmas present of your repentance. Lord, baptize me in repentance. Send the Spirit to search my heart so that I may repent on the deepest level. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Prepare yourself for the Lord and His healing by going to Confession.

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

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed and Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. Gerald

Faith Quote: "A little girl was asked what forgiveness is...she gave a beautiful answer. 'It is the fragrance flowers give when they are crushed.'" ~ 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.