[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, November 28, 2012 >>

Revelation 15:1-4
View Readings

Psalm 98:1-3, 7-9

Luke 21:12-19

SINGING IN THE REIGN

"They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb." —Revelation 15:3

 

We Christians will be persecuted by both the religious and secular authorities (Lk 21:12). As Jesus was betrayed by Judas, we will be betrayed even by our "parents, brothers, relatives and friends" (Lk 21:16). Some of us "will be put to death" (Lk 12:16). All will hate us because of our love for Jesus (Lk 21:17). Our reaction to all this bad news is not to "hang down our heads and cry." Rather, "when these things begin to happen, stand erect and hold your heads high, for your deliverance is near at hand" (Lk 21:28).

In the last days, the world will be pounded by seven plagues, by wave after wave of destruction (Rv 15:1). We do not react to this with fear, stress, or confusion. Instead, we stand up, hold our heads high, and by faith break out into song (Rv 15:3). Like the three men in the fiery furnace, we create a safe place in the midst of the destroying flames by singing God's praises (Dn 3:51). Like Paul and Silas, we sing up an earthquake, praise our way out of jail, and even convert the jailer and his family (Acts 16:25ff).

When times are tough, God's people sing. When God's people sing in faith, we see deliverance, protection, power, freedom, and conversion. St. Augustine declared: "He who sings prays twice." That's not the half of it. Sing to the Lord!

 

Prayer: Father, may my songs of faith protect babies in the womb from abortion.

Promise: "By patient endurance you will save your lives." —Lk 21:19

Praise: Louise has been praying the morning and evening prayers in the Liturgy of the Hours for over twenty years.

[Salvation]

A Pro-Life Prayer For Our President And Public Officials

Lord God, Author of Life and Source of Eternal Life,

Move the hearts of all our public officials and especially our President, to fulfill their responsibilities worthily and well to all those entrusted to their care.

Help them in their special leadership roles, to extend the mantle of protection to the most vulnerable, especially the defenseless unborn, whose lives are threatened with extermination by an indifferent society.

Guide all public officials by your wisdom and grace to cease supporting any law that fails to protect the fundamental good that is human life itself, which is a gift from God and parents.

You are the Protector and Defender of the lives of the innocent unborn. Change the hearts of those who compromise the call to protect and defend life. Bring our nation to the values that have made us a great nation, a society that upholds the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Mary, the Mother of the living, help us to bear witness to the Gospel of Life with our lives and our laws, through Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.

 

• Imprimatur:
• January 22, 2009
• Most Reverend Robert J. Baker
• Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama