shriveled?
"He addressed the man with the shriveled hand: 'Stand up here in front!' " —Mark 3:3
Is any part of your life shriveled, withered, atrophied? Do you use the power given by your Baptism to evangelize, heal, free, and feed the broken, starving masses? Are you exercising your spiritual muscles, or are they atrophied because of non-use? Jesus wants to heal you. He wants every part of His body and of our bodies and spirits to work.
Perhaps your ability to produce children is atrophied through the shriveling effects of artificial contraception, sterilization, or abortion. Jesus wants every part of your body to work so that every part of His body can work. Jesus calls you to come to Him and stand up in front of Him (Mk 3:3). He plans to undo the shriveling and withering, and use your reproductive system as He wills.
Many other shriveled people, and even Satan himself, do not want you healed. By faith in Jesus, however, "stretch out your hand" (Mk 3:5). Put your whole life, including the shriveled parts of your life, in Jesus' hands. "The man did so and his hand was perfectly restored" (Mk 3:5).
Prayer: Father, on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion, restore every part of my life to be fully alive and empowered to pray, stand, and work for the protection of all pre-born babies.
Promise: "Rule in the midst of your enemies." —Ps 110:2
Praise: Vincent endured horrible tortures at his martyrdom by singing praise to Jesus.
Reference: (Pray about ordering our leaflet, Sexual Sin, Abortion, and the Pill.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996