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ANCHORED IN JESUS CHRIST
ENGAGE THE WORLD
BY GREG SCHLUETER
For many, the first Republican debate last week arrived with a too-familiar sense of an impending storm cloud coming, ready to consume everyday existence. Internally many of us are protesting, "NO!" But is that the way to go? Here are some thoughts.
As Fall will soon begin painting the woods behind our home, it's a backdrop that prompts us to consider the state of our world. How often do we engage with the news and feel like we're stranded in a wilderness? Powerless and adrift?
In this complex landscape, there are two extreme paths, both equally misguided. The first, earthly avoidance, tempts us to disconnect from worldly matters, falsely believing God stands apart from history's unfolding events. This error is marked by thinking: "It's all a big distraction! I'm better without it! What's going to happen is going to happen. I can't do anything about it. I'm not meant to do anything about it." This can lead to a withdrawal into solitary prayer, a notion that we're helpless to make a difference. But remember, Jesus wasn't a bystander. He dove into the world, and He calls us to do the same. In fact, evil in this world is pervasive because too many of us remain on the sidelines. Though we've been equipped with swords of godly word and action, but keep them in their sheaths.
We're meant to engage, make thoughtful judgments, and weave our faith into worldly discussions and actions. However uncomfortable and difficult. Anchored in prayer, we are called to be active instruments of God's influence. Without which, evil wins. With which, the Kingdom comes.
On the flip side, the other extreme, earthly immersion, involves getting so tangled up in news and worldly concerns to the point where God takes a back seat. God and prayer are reduced to impotent formalities. This error is marked by thinking: "World news and human action is paramount! It all depends upon us! Better to spend an hour in FOX News than a committed, sacred moment of encounter in Good News!" Let's not be fooled into thinking that our circumstances are beyond the reach of an all-powerful God. While it might seem like chaos is calling the shots, through it all, God is steering the ship. The question remains: Are we allowing Him? Anchored in prayer, we need to draw our wisdom, strength and guidance constantly from Him. Or we're just building a tower of Babble. No human strategy will accomplish a single thing. We're laboring in vain. (Ps. 127)
On navigating the truth, we are deeply grateful for the leadership of Toledo Bishop Daniel Thomas who, a couple weeks ago, exhorted preaching priests and deacons to speak boldly and clearly about what's at stake in the November election, exhorting us to get in the game. Please take a moment and view this very short, impactful moment from Monsignor Marvin Borger's homily, masterfully blending this message with the Gospel's call for courage in walking on the water .
This brings us to a critical truth: There's nothing around us that surpasses what God wishes to do in and through us. If only we'd regard anxiety as a summons to prayer, as God asking us for permission to resume His dominion in our souls. Yes, the news can suck us in – trust me, I've been there, too. But no time with pixels will ever surpass time we can spend with people. May the Lord forge our hearts with the highest aspiration: Precious hours we can invest in prayer and meaningful conversation with our families and friends. That's where we introduce those we love to Jesus and journey with them.
Here's a reminder again to mark your calendar for Sanctus: Eucharistic Family Revival on November 3-4. Registration is coming soon. Join groups of men, women and families meeting weekly in September and October. CatholicRevival.us
Here's to finding our way together,
In Christ's love,
Greg & Stephanie Schlueter
Mass Impact | Image Trinity
(814) 449-8808 | Greg@MassImpact.us
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August 28- September 3, 2023
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GOSPEL | Matthew 16:21-27
Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."
He turned and said to Peter,
"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct."
QUESTION:
What struck you in this reading? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
YOU IMAGE THE TRINITY: LIVE IT
Going around, affirm how you have been blessed and/or inspired by each person this past week. Encourage him/her.
DAILY QUESTIONS:.
Everyone go around and share...
1) Something you’re grateful for?
2) A recent victory?
3) A current challenge?
4) An affirmation of someone?
5) Something meaningful happening?
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EPISODE 388: MADE FOR THIS: Pro-Life Call to Go Deeper | Guests: Jeff Barefoot & Peter Range
The election this November is absolutely critical. Join us on an invigorating conversation with Peter Range, Director of Ohio Right to Life, and Jeff Barefoot, former President of Foundation for Life as we delve into the core values that define the political landscape (ProtectWomenOhio.com), extending beyond the pre-born, to safeguarding families and parental authority in vital health decisions involving minors, to what lies beneath. We're about a cultural revolution of faith in action, urging listeners to break out from church confines and authentically connect with others with the heart of the Father.
LISTEN NOW! SHARE!
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| | | PREACH IT
On Sunday's Gospel (video)
with JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT
This Sunday we'll hear a progression of the scripture that we heard not long ago, where Peter is called the rock upon which Jesus will build his church.
So Jesus just said, "You know, Peter, I will give to you the keys of the kingdom and the gates of hell will not prevail against the church." Then He tells about how He's going to go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed on the third day rise. And Peter says, "God forbid, Lord, no such thing shall ever happen to you."
Sounds like a reasonable thing, no, I don't want you to die. And Jesus turns to Peter and he says, "Get behind me, Satan. You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." And then He says, "You've got to deny yourself if you're going to follow me."
So here's the thing, Peter was given this great call and the call was not annulled. But Peter, as a human being, began to operate in the flesh, not in the spirit. He began to operate not as the Father thinks, but as he thinks. And therefore, Jesus had to rebuke him. The same thing is true of you and me. We are given calls from God that are wonderful, but we often fall from those calls in the day in and day out stuff of how we operate. We begin to operate in the flesh, we begin to operate in the world, and Jesus calls us back. "Get behind me, you are thinking as Satan," and He calls it Satan, the accuser, the obstacle. "You were an obstacle to me."
And Peter had to come back. So you see, it doesn't mean that we don't have our call, it doesn't mean that Peter didn't have his call, but it means that we can operate in the wrong way within our call. We have to die to ourselves completely every day so we can be raised up as a new creation in and through Christ, and then we can be born again and operate in the Spirit of God.
That's my prayer for you guys. If it's true of the first pope, hey, it's true for you, it's true for me. So let's learn this lesson and try not to fall back into worldliness and into our flesh too easily. I love you. Remember, all things are possible with God.
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"The future of humanity passes by way of the family."
~ Pope St. John Paul II
WE ARE FAMILIES UNITED IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM.
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