Intercession
“Jesus said to His disciples: Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him, ‘ and he says in reply within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (LUKE 11: 5 – 13)
This Gospel reading from Thursday Mass struck me as timely. A friend receives a late unexpected visit. (I’m assuming it was unexpected since he has no food to offer his guest.) Wanting to be hospitable, he knocks on the door of his neighbor to hopefully obtain three loaves of bread. Not discouraged by the initial slightly grumpy refusal of his next door friend, he persists in his appeal to procure the necessary provisions.
Christ encourages all of us to see our Father in heaven as generous and giving. He understands our dependence and our neediness. Like small children, over and over again we should come to Him begging favors, necessities, and blessings. The neighbor was not borrowing food for himself, but for his guest. He persisted for someone else.
I guess, sometimes, that’s all I can do on the sidewalk. When I get discouraged and feel I’m not getting through to anyone, due to my own inadequacy or the hardness of their hearts, I am still VERY capable of begging. Actually, I’m quite good at it! I’m always glad to know God is God and He can handle the load! Let us pray, pray, pray for each other and every soul who crosses our path at 933 Liberty Avenue! Tracy
Keep reading to see who was on the sidewalk INTERCEDING for those who cannot help themselves…TODAY!
7:30-9:00: Joe K, Tim & David
Arthur, Bill, and Deacon Chris
We were so blessed this morning starting with the abortion center being closed, pleasant weather, a priest (Fr. Adam) and seminarian Chris along with prayer warriors from Divine Grace parish. The street was very quiet with little or no opportunity to give out any information, yet our witness was strong. As the early shift was transition to Judy a new group of prayer warriors arrived (with diapers for Little Lamb), prayer books and started praying. We were blessed. GBY. Tim
9:00-11:00: Judy V
I met Tim, David, Joe, Divine Grace seminarian, Chris, and a couple of men whom I hadn’t met before, praying the rosary as I got off the bus today. A beautiful fall morning greeted a closed PP–the 5th time in 6 weeks that the killing clinic was shuttered. A beautiful day indeed! Bill H and Father Adam from Dry Bones Ministry stopped by also.
More rosaries aplenty greeted heaven when members of St. Paul of the Cross (Kathy, John R, John L, and Peter,) and St. Anne (Victoria) parishioners arrived. Rich also arrived to protect us.
Several 9 -> 10 people stayed for the next hour and were joined by several more for the 10 -> 11 a.m. hour:
Rosemary, Joan, Bo (St. Oscar Romero), Anthony (St. Pat’s), Pete (St. Anne’s) and Jeannie joined–just in time for a cool refreshing shower (no one had an umbrella)!!
Numerous homeless men and women passed us. A homeless woman was rooting through my bag of literature and found a fetal model and yellow cards. She told me that she was against abortion, was pregnant, and asked for more cards. I referred her to the Red Door; she knew about them. One wheelchair bound man was slumped over for an hour before someone –a homeless woman?–called the paramedics which arrived and took him to the hospital. Leroy–whom I had met before, his right eye likely in need of treatment, stopped to talk with me. I learned at the Market House Senior Center that Mission of Mercy will be holding their annual health clinic on Friday, Nov 1 (All Saints Day!) and Saturday, Nov 2 at the David Lawrence Convention Center. I hope to make copies of the flyer I picked up at the Market House and make them available at PP. Sooo many homeless in Pgh need to know about this event!! (FLYER POSTED UNDER “RESOURCES” TAB ON HOMEPAGE)
11:00-1:00: Dean & Chris D
It was quiet at P.P. as they were closed for the third Saturday in a row. Chris and I prayed that abortion would no longer be an option. Dean
Chris and Dean never miss their appointed times!
1:00-3:00: Fran & Angie
Praise God! Planned Parenthood closed! Opened in prayer then Fran, Angie , Nadine continued. God opened many interactions:
Delightful nun from Texas thanked us for being there.
Long conversation with man whose mom died at his birth from sickle cell and aids. She gave him the ultimate gift, he called it a curse. Told a story of abuse, surrounded by family and friends who had tragic death. He liked that we offered help but not put babies life above mothers. Tried to take him to present : help for mom. Gave him a journal and encouraged him to write his story to help others.\ Invitated him to church. God has plan for him.( special thanks to Nadine who helped write above)
Woman tried to open pp door: she didn’t speak English, we gave her a Spanish handout. We saw her reading it at bus stop. Kathy
Woman reading Spanish handout at bus stop
3:00-5:00: Jeff & Billy
Today Jeff and I were together with Nadine til about 4 pm. A man came to pray with us and we prayed. Today was a very quiet day down here especially with Planned Parenthood being closed. A lot of people passing by did look extremely curious about our baby models. We had a girl say she supported what we were doing! Other than that just a calm quiet day. -Billy