Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. – Romans 12:12

“Wow, Sarah must be up in the clouds. She got acquitted! I wonder how much she gave as bribe to the lawyer,” a fellow inmate once said, sheer envy gleaming in her eyes. So much time is spent by inmates of the Correctional Institution for Women talking about our yearning for freedom – especially when our parole is up for consideration at the Supreme Court. First five years pass, then 10, then 15, then 20! The yearning grows with each passing minute.
      Finally, I tasted freedom. What I longed for the most was granted to me in 2005!
      In the many years that I was imprisoned, it is true that I lost so many wonderful  things... my looks, a chance at fame, many friends, and even my beloved husband. However, on the other hand, I also gained the best thing in life — a personal   relationship with Jesus and a place as a warrior of Mary.
      So am I an EX-Con?
      Absolutely.
      Extra Concern is what I constantly receive from the Lord! Beth C.

REFLECTION:
Whenever, wherever, what you hope for is available in His perfect time.

 Grant us, Lord, the gift of hope that is everlasting.

 

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

R: Among you is the great and Holy one of Israel.

2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 5 Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! (R)

G O S P E L

Luke 1:39-56

One of the most fundamental aspects of discipleship is one we should often meditate upon when reflecting on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is her simple obedience, her ‘Yes’ to God’s Will. This is the start of any life of holiness. No one can grow in holiness except through obedience to God’s word. Mary’s humility is manifest here as she surrenders her desires for her life to the will of God trusting, maybe even knowing through faith, that this is the sure path to fulfillment and happiness. God’s will is the perfect will for our lives, not our own. Let us pray for the grace to act upon this truth.

 39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my LORD should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the LORD would be fulfilled.” 46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the LORD; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is his name. 50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

my reflections
think: What greater satisfaction can there be than to know that we are presenting Jesus to the world through the witness of our lives?

 ________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

_____________________________________________________

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 68-71