Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Those of you who were shocked by our story last week about
a new trend that celebrates boys who like to dress up as girls shouldn't be too shocked to learn that the UK has approved a drug for children as young as 12 that will stunt the development of sexual organs to pave the way for eventual gender change surgery.
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"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare not for woe, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
For Reflection:
How have I seen this come true in my own life, especially after a time of sorrow and suffering? What does this tell us about God?
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"Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply, but speak gently and respectfully."
1 Peter 3:15
For Reflection:
One way we can instill hope in others is to have our story of God's mercy in our own life ready to share with them. What is one way God worked in your life that gave you hope in the midst of travail? Work at putting this into a two minute testimony so you will be "ever ready to reply." Hint: Divide your story into three parts and pick the highlights from each. The three parts of your story should be "I was, Jesus did, I am"
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for a passage you can use in your testimony.)
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"I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord."
Romans 8: 38- 39
For Reflection:
According to St. Paul, what will be able to separate us from the love of God? Consider this: God loves us always, in spite of everything, no matter what. His mercy is greater than any sin, any transgression, any failure or weakness. His love is greater than any affliction, trial, or suffering. We have every reason to hope and trust in Him!
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Have you made good use of your time of Lenten preparation?
NOW is the perfect time to reflect and prepare for the great paschal mystery which will soon be upon us. In the link below, I share some food for thought for these final hours of Lent. Please take a few moments to listen. Join me in making these last days, the very best days of our Lenten journey!
Drawn to the Cross - Women of Grace Live Audio
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PC writes: "It is said many times on your blog that there is no scientific proof of "energy." It can be argued that there is no scientific evidence of God either. How do we as Catholics share the potential dangers of energy practitioners with loved ones?"
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Several high-profile bills, including one to defund Planned Parenthood and ObamaCare, were defeated in the U.S. Senate yesterday, with many saying those Senators who voted against the bills should expect to be haunted by their votes in the upcoming election.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A new report has found that in spite of Church teaching against the use of artificial contraception, 98 percent of sexually active Catholic women have relied on these methods rather than natural family planning (NFP) to regulate births.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
At a UN panel hosted last week by the Holy See, representatives of the developed world castigated the Vatican and others for opposing family planning while spokespersons for the developing world argued they need more - not less - people.
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"If God is for, who can be against us? Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of him who has loved us."
Romans 8:32,35, 37
For Reflection:
This passage lists various vicissitudes of life. What are they? What would be some corollaries to these in your own life? How could these sufferings seek to convince you that God has abandoned you? But what does the passage tell you about God's love? How does this give you hope?
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