Eph 2:19-20 (Our Capstone) by Bobby Aborn

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

You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Ephesians 2:19-20 (full readings)

Bobby's Reflections: As a long time reader and member of the LIFE group devotional, I am humbled and thankful to have this opportunity to share as a guest author on this great feast of Saint’s Simon and Jude. In today’s reading St. Paul wants us to know the importance that we are no longer strangers among one another, but more importantly members of the household (family) of God. This household which has been built by the holy ones before us is now strengthened with Christ as our capstone. St. Paul’s use of the word capstone reminds me of a time I spent in the military. During my nine year career in the Air Force, I had the privilege to work for many of the Air Force’s senior leaders. Each year the newly appointed generals would participate in a leadership course titled “Capstone” orientating them to their new level of responsibility. They were to become the capstones to those whom they would be entrusted to lead. The use of this imagery of a capstone resonates deeply with me and reveals not only something for the military but also for us who believe in the power of Christ. As Christians this is much more than learning how to lead a Bible study or prayer group, here we are challenged to see Christ not only as the capstone of the Church, but as the capstone of our life. We must continue to make our faith in Christ the integral piece of our life that will fortify the foundation laid for us by those like Sts. Simon and Jude...so that we too can live heroically for Christ!

* Bobby Aborn is married to Christi. He is a Youth Conference Coordinator for the Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH.

Faith Challenge: Let us live this day to reaffirm Christ as the capstone of our life, by reaching out to our fellow family members within the household of God who are in need.

Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life (ends 31 Oct), LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Carolyn McKissack (daughter Karen's health), Kathy Schwab (5 yr old Dalton cancer), Pat Castle (Election Prayer for Life).

Faith Quote: "Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." ~St. Francis of Assisi

Feast Day: Saints Simon and Jude

Through Christ our Lord,

Bobby

John 16:33

Luke 11:52 ("key of knowledge") by Stephanie

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

Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. Luke 11:52 (full readings)

Stephanie's Reflections: The Pharisees and scribes (lawyers) were the religious leaders who studied the law of Moses and the prophets, developing an elaborate code of conduct that applied to every facet of daily life. Those that came in contact with them were being poisoned with a false idea of God. They kept the Scriptures locked up, concealing from the people the most important spiritual principles of God's covenant. The power of the key was in their teaching function, by which they should have been bringing others to God. More than anything, God wanted from them a trusting, contrite and open heart. We, too, have to learn to live more out of love than by the law, not condemning others and in the process condemning ourselves. Over the last 26 years as a volunteer in ProLife work, I have occasionally been quick to judge people who have a different idea of what 'ProLife' means. My frustration, especially with the ProLife indifference of professed Christians, has taken me several times to nearly throwing in the towel and giving up. Still I persist...but only because of God's grace. Please pray with me: Lord Jesus, help me to live each day more out of love, than by the law. Help me to look seriously at my own life before considering what others should be doing or should not be doing. Help me to look beyond myself. Help me not to judge others without first striving to know where they are coming from. Help me to take people where they are as we fight this battle on behalf of your precious 'little ones'. Help me to remember that You see the big picture and hold all things in being. Guide me through the frustrations of my daily life to a deeper love for You. Give me courage, Jesus. Help me to persevere. Teach me patience and help me to be more forgiving. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me hear your Word and to do your Will, no matter how much it hurts. Amen.

* Stephanie Kemp is the oldest of twelve, Mother of three grown sons, and Grandmother of three. With over 26 years of ProLife work, Stephanie is a true ProLife 'marathoner'!

Faith Challenge: "We are all originals from the mind and heart of God...God sends each person into the world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to sing, with a special act of love to bestow. These have been entrusted only to me...to take a life is a rejection of the message, the song and the love entrusted to that person by God." Abortion: The Silent Holocaust by Father John Powell

* What message of God's love will we share today? What song will we sing?

Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life (ends 31 Oct), LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.
* College students in Colorado going barefoot for week of pro-life advocacy

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP), Alpha Center, Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Sarah Ragan (healing from the miscarriage of her baby), Sue Peters (special intention)

Feast Day: St. Callistus I

Faith Quote: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before Him." Eph 1:3-4

Through Christ Our Lord,

Stephanie Kemp

Deut 30:19

Gal 3:3 ("through the burdens") by JP's Dad

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

Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Galatians 3:3 (full readings)

Jason's Reflections:

* One of my first thoughts after reading this verse from St. Paul was how sometimes God must feel the same way a parent does. How many parents have thought from time to time, “how many times do I have to tell you…” One of the reasons Paul wrote this to the Galatians is because they had begun to once again believe that by simply following their law they could find salvation. Paul pointed out once again that salvation comes from our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation fulfilled by his death and Resurrection. Our salvation is promised by God! It comes from making a choice to accept his promise.
* At Mass this past Sunday, our Priest spoke about accepting the burden’s of life with a Spirit of stewardship…to understand how God works through us often in the things that we feel are the most difficult. Many of you have prayed for my oldest son JP and our entire family for a very long time now, and for that we are more than thankful. JP has spent about 23 of the last 27 months in the hospital. As I write this, he is back in the hospital. My family picture above was taken about two weeks ago, a day after JP (red jacket) had been released from the hospital. We made a quick overnight trip to my parent’s lake cabin and had a tremendous evening of fishing. As you can see by the smiles on our faces, we thoroughly enjoyed it. We truly live our life day by day. We try our best to make each day a day full of LIFE! We have become very aware of the life decisions that face not only the parents of the Unborn, but individuals and families at every stage of life. We do our best to accept the burden (our cross) with faith that God is using our experience to do great things in our lives and the lives of those around us.

* Guest author Jason Peters is married to Deanna, and they have three children. Jason is the President of JMJ Caseworks in Sioux Falls, SD.

Faith Challenge: How is God working through the burdens in your life? How do your burdens impact the lives of those around you? Make it a great day!

Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life (ends 31 Oct), LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.
* Anti-abortion billboard turning heads [added by Pat]

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Leslee Unruh (grandbaby Pierce recovering from brain surgery & pneumonia), Rob Rysavy (AF Academy roommate Nick having back surgery), Beth Hughes (nephew died in swimming accident), Carol Nesbitt (special intention), Carolyn McKissack (daughter's health)

Feast Day: Our Lady of the Rosary

Faith Quote: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb 4:16

Through Christ our Lord,
Jason Peters

Heb 4:16

Psalm 27:13 (Rachel’s Vineyard) by Fr. J

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

I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (full readings)

Fr. Jonathan's Reflections: Today’s first reading and responsorial psalm call us to Hope even when all is not yet fully healed and made well. I recently was extremely blessed to have a life changing experience. I was a chaplain on a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat for Women who are post-abortive and seeking healing. The Lord’s timing is beautiful because we finished the retreat on the Sunday that the LIFE Runners raced the Sioux Falls Marathon for Life. I was so happy to tell the Women that the LIFE Runners were offering up miles for them, and they were so appreciative! At race time, we were having a memorial service for their children and entrusting them in Hope to the Lord. The weekend was beautifully graced as I witnessed hope growing in all of us…the hope of the Lord healing scars and promising even more good things in the land of the living.

* Fr. Jonathan St.Andre has been a Franciscan for 11 yrs and a Priest for 3 yrs, now ministering out of Pittsburgh, PA. He is the Director of Vocations for the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R., Sacred Heart of Jesus Province. Fr. Jonathan plans to join the LIFE Runners for the Kansas City Marathon (15 Oct 2011).

Faith Challenge: Let us never forget to pray for Women (and Men) who had an abortion. So many continue to hold a secret they dare not share out of fear and shame. Our prayers and unconditional love for them may be the doorway to the good things of the Lord for them. Perhaps you may be called to support the ministry that reaches out to these brothers and sisters (Rachel’s Vineyard).

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

* 40 Days for Life (until 31 Oct): Since 2007, more than 350,000 people and 11,500 church congregations have participated.

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Helene Couchon (Molly Barber's health), Leslee/Allen Unruh (grandbaby Pierce's brain surgery Friday)

* Kathy Schwab (daughter's friend Marty fighting Leukemia)

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Feast Day of St. Jerome: Jerome studied the classical authors in Rome, and was baptized there. He embraced a life of asceticism and went to the East where he was ordained a priest. Returning to Rome, he became a secretary to Pope Damasus. In Rome, he began to translate the Holy Scriptures into Latin and to promote the monastic life. Eventually he settled in Bethlehem where he served the needs of the Church. He wrote many works, especially commentaries on Holy Scripture. He died in Bethlehem in 420.

Faith Quote: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."- St. Jerome

Through Christ Our Lord,

Fr. Jonathan St.Andre, TOR