In today's Gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus (again) cures someone on the sabbath. This is similar to a reading we saw earlier this week. He questions why it is okay to take care of animals on the sabbath, but not people.
In the first reading from Romans 9, St. Paul expresses heartbreak for the fact that his own people, the Jews, did not accept Jesus Christ as their messiah. He writes, "For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh."
So many of us today feel that same heartbreak. We have family members - children, siblings, grandchildren, etc. - who have fallen away from the faith. This doesn't mean they're bad people. But if we truly want what is best for them, we want them active in their faith. Let us always continue our fervent prayers for them, that they may hear and feel God reaching out to them and find their way back.
Father, draw our loved ones closer to you. May we be witnesses to your love and grace to them, and to all. Amen.
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