Lord, Hear Our Prayer

The internet is a formidable force for bringing the comfort and consolation and hope of the Lord to all of us. It can be an incredibily powerful medium for community. There is an unfathomable resource for prayer here. We have on the 'net the privilege of praying for people and of being witness to the miracles brought forth when fervent, faith-filled people pray for one another.

Let's be that community of hope and faith for one another.

How about this idea? What if I pop in here every weekend, share Sunday's gospel and talk a wee bit about how we can live it and pray it in our homes? And then you tell me how we can pray for you that week? Deal?

{And please, do return and let us know how prayer is bearing fruit.}

Gospel 

Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ, 
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

Think

"We should go even beyond doing what is required in order to avoid scandal."

~St. Basil the Great

"But I'm here among you to prevent something far worse for you. While those who give scandal are guilty of the spiritual equivalent of murder, those who take scandal — who allow scandals to destroy their faith — are guilty of spiritual suicide."

  ~St. Francis de Sales

Pray

Dear Lord, There is scandal in the world--everywhere I look. There is sin in our homes, in our churches, in our social networks. Sin abounds, even among the people of God. Strengthen my faith today, Lord. Let me see that You are present, even when we are not perfect. Prevent me from committing spiritual suicide, from allowing my faults and the imperfections of the people of God to distract me from the perfection of your Son. God, please grant me grace, the grace not to get in the way of the abundant mercy You want to shower on me.

Act

Examine your conscience in light of the quotes above. Do you give scandal? Even little scandals: "harmless" gossip, judgments that are calumnous, a missed opportunity to share Christ with genuine encouragement? Takes those millstones from your neck. Apologize sincerely, if necessary. 

Find someone who is hurting, who is doubting, because of the scandalous behavior of others. Be kind and gentle towards her. Do a little suicide prevention.