Comments on: Sunday, February 10, 2019 – Rise to the Challenge https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-february-10-2019-rise-to-the-challenge/ DAILY MASS READINGS AND REFLECTIONS @ ACATHOLIC.ORG Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:21:58 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Anonymous https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-february-10-2019-rise-to-the-challenge/#comment-14394 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:21:58 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=66143#comment-14394 Thank you for sharing your faith with us. It brought back a 40 year old memory. I have always participated and enjoyed sports. I was selected to present the first talk that weekend. Nervously, I read a letter a fellow team member wrote to encourage and support me. The essence of the letter was that like in baseball, I had been selected to lead off for the greatest team. Manged by the greatest manger, for a great purpose. After the presentation I was in cloud 9 as if I had homered in the 9th inning of the world series. Following Christ has allowed me to live in hope, peace and joy. I still have the letter. It’s a treasure.

]]> By: Chris https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-february-10-2019-rise-to-the-challenge/#comment-14393 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:18:21 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=66143#comment-14393 This past week, Pope Francis put his net out into the deep. According to a source (The Tablet) “Francis was, moreover, coming (to the UAE) in the year when the Catholic Church was celebrating the 800th anniversary of the meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kamil at Damietta in Egypt in 1219”. The theme of Pope Francis’ visit is “Make me a channel of your peace” which is inspired by St. Francis’ prayer for peace.

Pope Francis, by his example, is asking us to do the same. We don’t have to cross the oceans to do this, we can reach out to people in our neighbourhood. In my apartment, where I’ve lived for more than 10 years, I was surprised to meet a couple of angry, disillusioned lapsed Catholics. I have also met a non-denominational practicing Christian. There are other good, decent people who do not belong to any religious affiliations, they just try to live in a friendly atmosphere. In small ways, I have reached out to each of these individuals, by example, always bearing in mind, these people are mature adults who live in very deep waters of anger, hurt and disillusionment. Catching these fish requires the desire to understand with compassion, not judging, like the example of Jesus, and like Pope Francis reaching out to a Muslim country.

God bless

]]> By: Nancy https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-february-10-2019-rise-to-the-challenge/#comment-14392 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 15:21:18 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=66143#comment-14392 That was an amazing reflection. Your words struck me in a profound way.
Blessings Joe

]]> By: Anonymous https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-february-10-2019-rise-to-the-challenge/#comment-14391 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 13:27:08 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=66143#comment-14391 Thank you Joe. Good players make average players… and not so good players better just by being around them…just like Jesus. Really nice reflection.

]]> By: Leslie Judd https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-february-10-2019-rise-to-the-challenge/#comment-14390 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 09:48:46 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=66143#comment-14390 A super reflection, Joe, which, like all the best reflections, gives clear and practical guidance on how to do things better. In particular I love the reminder “always be thankful” for every little good thing that happens in your life.

]]> By: KEDARA JUSTINE DONALD https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-february-10-2019-rise-to-the-challenge/#comment-14389 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 06:44:29 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=66143#comment-14389 Hey thanks a lot Mr Joe your words are so encouraging you’ve reminded me of a lot I haven’t been doing….. I never knew God has sent someone to make be in the choir but your words have reminded me so well.
I thought all will come with a mere believing but not “acting”
Thank you so much.

]]> By: Hugh https://www.acatholic.org/sunday-february-10-2019-rise-to-the-challenge/#comment-14388 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 05:37:04 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=66143#comment-14388 You have captured it well. Thanks Joseph.
I especially liked the reminder – making the choice to act, dropping down the net. Many a time I have caught myself or those around me asking; “Why isn’t anything happening”. God’s grace is never ending. When we act and take the step of “going fishing”, it’s amazing what we can catch, together, with Christ.

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