Luke 2:48,50 (In God's Hands)

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

Son, why have you done this to us? ... But they did not understand what he said to them. Luke 2: 48, 50 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "How many anxious moments do our children provide us in the course of a lifetime? Plenty. Jesus, like most twelve-year-olds, probably had his share of misunderstandings with Mary and Joseph...this passage prepares parents for a time when our children will make decisions, do things, and act in ways we won't fully comprehend - or agree with." by Paul Pennick

Steve's Thoughts: As Catholic Christians we highly venerate ("to treat with great respect or deference") St. Joseph. Why? Well, if we look closely at the few things we know about St. Joseph in scripture we see that he was a holy man. He was poor (offered two turtle doves at Jesus' presentation), and a blue collar worker who worked with his hands as a carpenter or stonemason. He was a humble man who preferred to divorce Mary quietly when he found she was with child before they were married, though by all rights under the law he could have had her dragged into the streets and stoned for such an offence. He listened to God and made tough decisions when the angels appeared to him in a dream first telling him to marry Mary (risked scandal and public ridicule) and secondly to leave his home, family and livelihood (remember he was poor) and go to Egypt (not just another town, but different country and culture). He was a protector in that he sought the safety of his family by obeying God and taking them to Egypt and less notably when he returned settling in the obscure village of Nazareth. St. Joseph did for Jesus and Mary what they could not have done for themselves in their meek states. He was a man of faith who trusted in God and listened even when things weren't clear. As a spouse, father, and man of God these are all traits to be emulated and sought after in the spiritual life. To be humble, to listen and to trust amidst uncertainty, and to place others ahead of ourselves are all noble virtues which we venerate today and always in St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus.

Sr. Francelles Devotion: The Humiliation of Jesus "One of the saddest things that happened to Christ was His humiliation. Humiliation means someone is looked down upon, publicly degraded and made to look like a fool - making one ashamed of who they are."

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.
* NEW: What can we learn from St. Joseph's humble life and faith as we journey toward Easter? Please consider providing comments on the Facebook page.

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 expose abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!
* NEW: Consider giving an hour of prayer in front of your local abortuary in support of 40 Days for Life until 28 March (345 babies saved during this Spring campaign, 2009 results video).

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

Feast Day: St. Joseph

Faith Quote: "Saint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families." - Pope John Paul II

Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
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, 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).