Tagged: Prayer Intention

A TALE OF TWO SINNERS

“That is why her many sins are forgiven – because of her great love.” –Luke 7:47 The penitent woman owed a large debt to God (Lk 7:43); she had committed “many sins” (Lk 7:47). Jesus “wrote off” her huge debt of sin; He forgave it all (Lk 7:42, 48). The woman’s response to being forgiven was a model for us all. She reformed her life, accepted the gift of saving faith (Lk 7:50), came directly to Jesus, and showered Him with love (Lk 7:45). Jesus told a story about another grievous sinner who owed a “huge amount” of debt to...

MAMA’S BOYS & GIRLS

“And when perfected, He became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.” ––Hebrews 5:9 Numerous well-meaning Christians don’t consider the Blessed Virgin Mary their mother. They may assume paying attention to Mary detracts from following Jesus. Often a verse from today’s Gospel of John is referenced to show the Blessed Mother is, in fact, our mother: “Seeing His mother there with the disciple whom He loved, Jesus said to His mother, ‘Woman, there is your son.’ In turn He said to the disciple, ‘There is your mother.’ From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his...

LIFT HIGH THE CROSS

“He humbled Himself…because of this, God highly exalted Him.” –Philippians 2:8, 9 How do we Catholics treat the cross of being called to have a large family? When we see a large family pass by, do we look on them with pity and say to others, “What a burden”? (Mal 1:13) What are our thoughts about those who suffer from Alzheimer’s, Down’s Syndrome, mental and emotional disabilities, or physical handicaps? How do we respond when we see an overburdened priest, religious brother, or sister? Do we tell others that the cross of celibacy, loneliness, and poverty isn’t worth the trouble?...

WILL JESUS FIND FAITH IN US?

“I tell you, I have never found so much faith among the Israelites.” –Luke 7:9 Jesus is looking for faith (see Lk 18:8). He finds the faith He seeks in a Roman centurion, a man not a part of Israel, the People of God. Israel was covenanted to God as His “people” (see Jer 31:33). Jesus’ comment to the crowd implies that He has been seeking that level of faith among the People of God and has not yet found it (Lk 7:9). Instead, Jesus found that faith outside of God’s chosen, in the person of a Gentile Roman officer....

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

“A good man produces goodness from the good in his heart; an evil man produces evil out of his store of evil.” –Luke 6:45 We store up both the bad and the good. Eventually we get an abundance of one or the other. We speak from that abundance, which then is the fruit of our lives (Lk 6:44-45). The key to a good life, good fruit, and good speech is what we’re storing inside. If we’re harboring resentments, unforgiveness, bitterness, hurts, and lusts, it won’t be long till we have an abundance. Then we will mass-distribute all that poison, and...