Hebrews 13:1-2 (Angels Among Us) by Tina Castle

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (website, Facebook).

"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have entertained angels." Hebrews 13:1-2 (full readings)

Tina's Reflections: My heart was moved as I read today’s verse about hospitality and entertaining angels. When I think of hospitality I think of generosity. Generosity is more than money, it is what God places on our hearts. I find the days that I make those small, generous concessions towards others are the days I find the most peace. I felt called to start a pro-life committee at my Parish. We made plans to go and pray in front of the abortion mill on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It fell on one of the coldest days of the year. The committee was tempted to call off the event, but as we thought about the unborn unjustly being sacrificed, we knew we needed to be there. I was so proud that our priest and many of our youth joined us. During our time of peaceful prayer, we were greeted by many; a neighboring restaurant owner who gently asked us to not walk in front of his store window; a gruff man who asked me “what’s going on here,” then made the sign of the cross as he left; or the men and women who joined us in prayer as they got in their vehicles. Any of these could have been angels. We will never know how far reaching our prayers and sacrifices were that day. However, I do know that generosity is what brought us together. Check out this song by Alabama about the power of angels, Angels Among Us.

* Tina is married to Steve and the mother of four beautiful children (Brianna, Mary, Sam, & Sarah). Tina runs her own daycare, Little Miracles Daycare, and is active at her parish as the chair of the "Hear Our Voices" social justice committee.

Faith Challenge: Are you entertaining angels? Be generous and hospitable with all you encounter today.

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Which one are YOU? "Sometimes I think the whole world is divided into two groups - Pharisees and Publicans. Pharisees are either judging or condemning others, while Publicans are so busy making their own hearts pleasing to God, they don't have time to judge others."

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, running, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. Joseph of Leonissa "Joseph avoided the safe compromises by which people sometimes undercut the gospel."

Faith Quote: "Every Christian must be a living book wherein one can read the teaching of the gospel." ~ St. Joseph of Leonissa

Through Christ Our Lord,
Tina
Matthew 25:40

* 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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John 12:8 (God is the root of our service)

Let's welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, Facebook), based on Living Faith. Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. James 1:22

You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. John 12:8 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "[Jesus] was not saying that there is no use in helping the poor and feeding the hungry, but that using money for seemingly 'useless' purposes is valid too. Expanding on Jesus' meaning, we may say that while the poor and the hungry deserve our assistance, it's good also to help build a beautiful new church, support a music program, erect a monument to a good person or help construct bicycle paths as a way to cultivate a healthy, natural environment. Jesus' point may be that there are values of a spiritual or personal nature that are just as real as those of a physical and material nature, and they all deserve our support." by Mitch Finley

Rich's comments: Today's Gospel reading from John could be confusing, since Christ has always stressed to His disciples the importance of helping the poor. I don't believe that Jesus meant His words to be an acknowlegment of the futility of helping the poor. Jesus possibly rebukes his disciples, because of their overzealousness in the matter of giving to the poor. While giving to the poor is good, forcing someone else to give what they do not desire to give is hardly justified. Also, even though there are poor people out there, that does not prevent one from giving material gifts to people who aren’t poor (especially if that person is God). There is an obligation to help the poor, but that is derived from—and in no way superior to—our obligations to God. The duty of tending to the poor is not supposed to be all consuming that we lose sight of God, or the reasons we are to help the poor. Our duty first and foremost is to love and serve our God, and this love then extends to our fellow man.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.
* NEW: What are the reasons that you give to the poor? Please consider sharing your devotion thoughts on the Facebook page, to be appreciated by many.

Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life, LifeSiteNews, Vatican, 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 expose abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!
* NEW: Large Majority of French Women Agree that Abortion Has Detrimental Psychological Effects

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP), Prayer to end abortion, Stephanie Kemp (special intention), Pat Castle (Uncle Jim Castle with blood clots).

Faith Quote: "The needy will never be lacking in the land; that is why I command you to open your hand to your poor and needy kinsman in your country." (Deut 15:11)

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).

Luke 6:38 ("The Precious Present"!)

Let's welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, 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

Give and gifts will be given to you...shaken down, and overflowing... Luke 6:38 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "It's an odd thing in our culture that the most generous among us are so often those with the least. Maybe they already know that what they have is a gift. They know they're not entitled to it, so they are willing to share with those around them. Affluence seems to cloud this knowledge: The more we have, the more we seem to have a sense of entitlement. "I've worked hard to get where I am" is a sentiment affluent tend to have, as though working hard were enough. But [those] who "made it" had some break, some opportunity that others didn't have or couldn't take advantage of for reasons beyond themselves. No one is truly self-made. Indeed, we have been showered with gifts "shaken down, and overflowing." I pray that all of us can see that everything we have is a gift and give to others [time, talent, treasure]." Aileen O'Donoghue

Pat's nuggets:

* Today's snippets reminded me of the insightful short story "The Precious Present" (God's gift of life...right now).

* Last Sunday, Father Chris drove over from Alton (IL) for dinner and blessed our home...every room (30 sec video)! A blessing sets something aside for God's glory. Fr Chris used holy water that Grace got last year...holy water apparently has an eternity expiration date. If you haven't had your home blessed, consider doing this before Easter.

* A friend recently asked, "why does faith always grow best in the valleys?" My response, "In reading about the Saints, they would actually thank God for their valleys (hardships)...because this is when they turned to God the most and were in turn closest to God. If someone has a weak faith life, they may instead question/curse God in the valleys. The song "Praise You In This Storm" is about trusting God...even in the valleys [John 16:33]."

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion or using the Facebook "invite people to join" link.

* NEW: Big high five to Christy Hubka for leading 8 friends to the LIFE Group last week, simply by using the "invite people to join" link on Facebook..."Faithbook"!

* NEW: During our Lenten journey, how can we share "the precious present" with others? Facebook comments are welcome...

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, 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!

* NEW: 40 Days for Life (until 28 March), 105 babies saved so far

* NEW: The following news story is horrifying, Uganda parents murdering their born children to increase their standard of living. Abortion is as horrifying...the murdered children are just younger. Witch-doctors reveal extent of child sacrifice in Uganda.

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP). Prayer to end abortion.

* NEW: Pam McGushin (for Lisa Lackey's father, cancer tests), Carol Nesbitt (mother-in-law Jean had a serious stroke), Pat/Angi Castle (for new God-daughter, Delaney Hansens)

Faith Quotes:

* Carolyn McKissack shared: "Remember...just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. Every saint has a past...every sinner has a future!" by G.K. Chesterton

* "Activists on life and family are the cultural Marines of our age. Keep up the good fight and remain Semper Fidelis." by John-Henry Westen (Editor-in-Chief LifeSiteNews)

* "I want my life to honor you, Jesus, by loving how You loved and living how You lived." by Pastor Don Bird

Courage for our Lenten journey,

Pat

Phil 4:13

* 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).

2 Cor 9:10 (generosity)

Let's welcome God every morning before work by giving a few minutes to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which is 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

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Cor 9:10

Living Faith snippets: "The volunteers themselves, however, were facing hunger; they had no seed to plant after years of drought and flood. I was taken aback by the combination of spiritual wealth and material poverty. And I was emphatically reminded that we're asked to care for our neighbor both body and soul, as these people had done and as they now needed done for them. Lord, plant and multiply the seed of generosity in me." by Mary Marrocco

Rich's comments: We are called to be generous and give our time, talent, and treasure. However, in giving of ourselves to serve others, we need to be conscious of our own spiritual hunger. In reading a book on the life of Mother Teresa called A Simple Path, I learned that Mother Teresa had to frequently retreat to the chapel and pray to God to spiritually refuel before she could continue her work of service. All too often, those who feel passionate about serving others can easily burn out if they do not continue to be spiritually fed. Lord, energize me with Your Holy Spirit and give me the strength and endurance to do Your Will. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Remember that you need to receive in order to give; therefore, continue to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of us your faithful, enkindle in us the fire of Your love.

Send forth Your spirit and we shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.

Oh God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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. Let's courageously share ProLife Truth (John 14:6) to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16) and setting the unborn 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, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions.

Faith Quote: "Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself. Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them." - Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* 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, bitterness, being so critical, 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 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.
Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!