Christian Reflection and Prayer

A PRIEST'S RETIREMENT DINNER
 
 
 A Priest was being honored at his retirement
dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading
local politician and member of the congregation
was chosen to make the presentation and to
give a little speech at the dinner. However, he
was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his
own few words while they waited:
   
 
“I got my first impression of the parish from the
first confession I heard here. I thought I had been
assigned to a terrible place. The very first person
who entered my confessional told me he had stolen
a television set and, when questioned by the police,
was able to lie his way out of it. He had stolen
money from his parents, embezzled from his
employer, had an affair with his boss's wife, he had
taken illegal drugs . I was appalled. But as the days
went on, I learned that my people were not all like
that and I had,indeed, come to a fine parish full of
good and loving people."
  
Just as the Priest finished his talk, the politician
arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately
began to make the presentation and gave his talk:
“I'll never forget the first day our parish Priest
arrived, said the politician. In fact, I had the honor of
being the first person to go to him for confession."

MORAL: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER BE LATE

Touch a Live

by Anne Cetas

( From Our Daily Bread)

Scripture:

Read: Galatians 6:6-10

Let us not grow weary while doing good.
(Galatians 6:9)

Reflection:

My friend Dan, who was soon to graduate
from high school, was required to make a
senior presentation. He had 15 minutes to
share how he had made it to the point of
graduation and to thank those who had
helped him along the way.

I gazed around the room before he started
to talk. All kinds of people—young families,
teachers, friends, church leaders, and
coaches—were in attendance. He began to
talk about the ways each person had
touched his life. One woman had “been like
an aunt and had always been there” for him.
A 30-something man “shared Scriptures
often and gave counsel.” Another man had
“taught him discipline and hard work.” A
church friend had “taken him to football
practice every day” because his mom
couldn’t. A couple had “treated him like he
was their own son.” One commonality—
they were all just ordinary Christians who
had reached out to make a difference in
his life.

Paul called it doing “good to all, especially
to those who are of the household of faith”
(Gal. 6:10). We can help shape another
person’s life by showing an interest and
taking action. And, as happened with Dan,
we can reap a harvest (v.9).

Look around. Is there someone whose life
needs your touch?

Prayer:

Lord, grant me a heart of compassion
So burdened for others’ needs
That I will show Your kindness
In attitudes, words, and deeds. —Fitzhugh

DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN,
IN ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN.
FOR ALL THE PEOPLE YOU CAN
WHILE YOU CAN!.

God is faithful to those who love him

What can you expect when you love God?

Scripture

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives,
he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22 NLT


Be faithful yourself

When big problems come, there is something
in all of us that wants to bail out, throw in the
towel, wave the white flag of surrender, and
retreat to someplace less stressful.

This explains why so many people under great
stress and strain walk away from God, a marriage,
a friendship, or a church. When the future looks
stormy or uncertain, it becomes easy to rationalize,
to jettison one's convictions, to go back on promises.

Before you succumb to panic and start to renege
on a commitment, you need to strongly consider
God's promise. It tells us that we have something
within us (Someone, actually) who desires for us
to be loyal and who gives us the courage and grit
to hang tough. The Holy Spirit will, if you ask him,
enable you to persevere — even in the face of
overwhelming trouble.

Praying God's Promise

God, you are always faithful to me. By the power
of your Spirit, help me to keep my commitments
in tough times. I want to be reliable and trustworthy.
I want to be wholly devoted to you, through thick
and thin. Fill me with your Spirit so that I have the
courage to stand firm.

From Praying God's Promises in Tough Times by
Len Woods (Tyndale House) pp 160-61

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation and other publications of Tyndale
Publishing House