July 7, 2019

July 6, 2019

We are all Lazarus
Lazarus is one my two favorite stories from the Gospels. This story is the first scripture I deliberately memorized. The first time I read the Raising of Lazarus it was as if I was reading the story of my life.
Time and time again I have found myself dead, bound, rotting and in a tomb behind a stone that I couldn't move even if I tried. Sometimes I didn't even realize it until I have one of those moments that we all have from time to time. One of those moments where in the darkness of our distance from the Lord we hear him weeping and all of a sudden we see our wretched state. We know where we are and we hope and pray that God will roll away this stone, unbind us and restore us to the life of relationship with Him.
We all find ourselves in the tomb from time to time. It could be from sin, it could be from indifference, doubt, or any manner of darkness. You will find yourself in that tomb and you will see the stone roll away. My prayer is that when the Lord says, "Come forth!" you will rise and come out and embrace the wonderful life our Lord has called you to.

I am the resurrection and the life...

Heavenly Father

Pour forth your Holy Spirit to inspire me with these words from Holy Scripture.
Stir in my soul the desire to renew my faith and deepen my relationship with your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ so that I might truly believe in and live the Good News.
Open my heart to hear the Gospel and grant me the confidence to proclaim
the Good News to others.
Pour out your Spirit, so that I might be strengthened to go forth and witness to the Gospel in my everyday life through my words and actions.
In moments of hesitation, remind me:
If not me, then who will proclaim the Gospel?
If not now, then when will the Gospel
be proclaimed?
If not the truth of the Gospel,
then what shall I proclaim?

God, our Father, I pray that through the Holy Spirit I might hear the call of the New Evangelization to deepen my faith, grow in confidence to proclaim the Gospel and boldly witness to the saving grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.