A regulation penalizing Roman Catholic and Evangelical Protestant adoption agencies that turn away same-sex couples has been rolled back by the Trump Administration, thus opening the door for restoration of federal funding to faith-based organizations.
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November 5
"Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed...
Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
-1 Corinthians 15: 51, 52, 55
For Reflection:
Death comes to us all, but we have the promise of the resurrection. As Christians, the overriding priority of our lives should be eternity with God, heaven, both for ourselves and as many souls as we can bring with us.
Is this the focus of your life and if not, what needs to change?
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Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Rajan Zed, a Hindu activist who promotes yoga and Hinduism, issued a statement calling upon Irish Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan to “seriously look” at all the benefits of yoga before banning it from Catholic schools.
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November 4
"The saints stand around my Son like countless stars, whose glory is not to be compared with any temporal light."
-The Blessed Mother to St. Bridget
For Reflection:
Does this image of being near Jesus in heaven console you?
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November 3
"If God were to make every grain of sand into a new world, all these innumerable spheres would not fill the immensity of heaven."
For Reflection:
Though heaven is incomprehensible to us living in the world, take time this week to ask the Lord to enlighten you to the immensity of
our eternal inheritance.
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November 2
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be."
-John 14:3
For Reflection:
Does it console you to know that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for you and that He desires for you to be with Him for all eternity?
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After years of legal battles, the Christian owner of a t-shirt company who was sued by an LGBT activist group for not printing shirts promoting a pride festival, the Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that the activists do not have the legal right to sue the establishment.
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November 1
"But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him...'"
-1 Corinthians 2:9
For Reflection:
What strikes you most about this passage from sacred scripture? Take time to ponder this heavenly reality.
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Orthodox icon of All Saints (wikicommons)
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Remember the days when Halloween meant flocks of children dressed as cowboys and princesses who actually did tricks on your doorstep in exchange for a treat? How did we get from that innocent celebration to the parade of ghouls, witches, and zombies that arrive on our porches today, impatiently grabbing candy out of the bowl as they rush off to the next stop?
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October 31
Our Lady’s Rosary
Dear Mother, I bring Thee roses
Because they are so sweet,
But lilies, my favorite flowers
I am placing at Thy feet.
Accept with each Hail Mary
A rose for Thy crown so bright,
Please don't forget the lilies,
The lilies so pure and white.
Let them be a bond of love
And understanding rare,
And send a blessing from above
In answer to my prayer.
Loneliness would be unknown
If more people came to Thee,
With their trials and sorrows
And said their Rosary.
With each Hail Mary, they would find
Their load much lighter grow,
And in humility, kiss the cross
In peace, would onward go.
-Alice W. Sparks
For Reflection:
How has my load been made lighter this past month as I have prayed the Rosary? Am I willing to make the Rosary a daily prayer? Why or why not?
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