LIVE IT TODAY: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY! SUBSCRIBE FREE to receive LIVE IT TODAY: LiveITToday.us GOD'S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY You are held in My hand, secure and loved. I have called you to hear My voice, to follow, and to live forever in My care. INVOCATION Come, Holy Spirit! Come through Mary! Open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire to give so that I may be drawn ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity! GOSPEL | John 10:22-30 The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” EVERY DAY QUESTION What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise? GOING DEEPER Do We Really Believe? In this Gospel, Jesus confronts the hard truth of unbelief: “I told you, and you do not believe.” It’s not that He was unclear — it’s that their hearts were closed. Instead of words, Jesus points to His works, His miracles of healing, forgiveness, and mercy as proof of who He is. But only those who are His sheep — who listen and trust — can truly see and understand. The image of the shepherd’s hand is profound. To be in Jesus’ hand means to be secure, protected, and unshakably loved. The Greek word for “perish” (apollymi) means to be utterly destroyed or lost. Jesus promises that those who hear and follow Him will never experience that fate. Nothing — no suffering, no evil, no failure — can snatch us from His grasp. For families, this is a powerful invitation. Are we cultivating ears to hear Jesus’ voice in our homes? Do we pray together, reflect on His Word, and talk about where we see His works in our daily lives? Our homes become sheepfolds when we lead one another to listen, follow, and trust in the Good Shepherd. And this creates a deep security in our children — a confidence that they are never alone, never abandoned, always loved. Catechism Connection: CCC 1814 – “Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us… because he is truth itself.” LIFE APPLICATION Hearing His voice: Where is Jesus speaking to me right now — and am I listening? Building a sheepfold at home: How can we as a family make space to hear Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and conversation? Helping others belong: Who around me feels alone or forgotten, and how can I help them know they are loved and held by God? LIVE IT Go around and share one moment this week when you sensed God’s presence or guidance. Bless each person for their attentiveness. GOING VERTICAL Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. It’s not simply about what God can do for us, but about discovering the sufficiency and power of being attuned to His presence. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak. PRAYER LORD JESUS CHRIST, You made me for Yourself — to know You, to love You, and to live for You now and through all eternity. I believe in You. I seek You. I trust in You. Help me Live IT Today. #LiveITToday DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen. DAILY PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: MassImpact.us/PRAYERCARD SUBSCRIBE FREE to receive LIVE IT TODAY: LiveITToday.us | JOIN US IN LIVING IT: ILoveMyFamily.us | PARTNERS: MassImpact.us/PARTNER THIS MONTH'S LIVE IT TODAY is made possible by the generosity of the Archbold Furniture Company. ArchboldFurniture.com | 733 W. Barre Rd., Archbold, Ohio Want to help advance the Kingdom through your business? Become a monthly sponsor. Let’s partner in making disciples! Contact us: Alive@MassImpact.us HELP US SLAY GIANTS at SlayingGiants.us "Slaying Giants" is King David's epic fall from grace into being an instrument of salvation told in a way you've never experienced before. Some of the nation’s best-known Christian leaders and authors have called it: "Remarkable," "Brilliant," "Captivating," "Convicting," and "Beautiful." We would be so grateful for your help to beautifully package, publish, and promote this — making it available for free to those who cannot afford a copy. Holy Spirit, come! https://open.substack.com/pub/liveittoday/p/live-it-today-tuesday-may-13-2025 (fb)

LIVE IT TODAY: Monday, May 12, 2025 A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY! SUBSCRIBE FREE to receive LIVE IT TODAY: http ://LiveITToday.us GOD'S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY You are known, called, and loved by name. I am your Good Shepherd, and I lead you to life in abundance. INVOCATION Come, Holy Spirit! Come through Mary! Open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire to give so that I may be drawn ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity! GOSPEL | John 10:1-10 Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” EVERY DAY QUESTION What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise? GOING DEEPER Do We Really Believe? Jesus gives us one of the most tender and powerful images of His love today: “I am the gate.” This isn’t just poetic language — it’s a profound spiritual reality. In ancient times, shepherds often became the “gate” themselves, lying across the opening of the sheepfold at night to protect their sheep. Nothing could enter or leave except through them. The Greek word for “abundantly” (perissos) means overflowing, beyond measure, more than enough. Jesus doesn’t offer mere survival — He offers life brimming with grace, joy, purpose, and security. But notice: this abundance is found only through Him. Any other path — false teachings, counterfeit gods, worldly promises — is ultimately a thief that comes to steal, slaughter, and destroy. For families, this Gospel challenges us to place Jesus unmistakably at the center of our homes. Are we helping our children and loved ones recognize His voice above the noise of the world? Do we talk about Jesus openly, pray together, and discern decisions with Him in mind? When we pray as spouses, bless our children aloud, and bring even small choices before the Lord, we build households that become little sheepfolds of grace — places of safety, guidance, and joy where Christ leads. Our children will learn to recognize Jesus’ voice not only in church, but in the everyday: through how we speak, forgive, love, and prioritize what matters most. Jesus wants to be the gate in our homes — let’s invite Him in. Catechism Connection: CCC 1696 – “The way of Christ leads to life; a contrary way leads to destruction. The Gospel parable of the two ways remains ever present in the catechesis of the Church.” LIFE APPLICATION Listening for the Shepherd: Where in my life am I following voices that distract or divide me from Jesus? Building a Christ-centered home: How can our family make Jesus more visible and central in our daily routines and decisions? Leading others to safety: Who around me is searching for security or meaning, and how can I help guide them toward Christ, the true gate? LIVE IT Go around and share one way each person in your family or household has heard or followed God’s voice recently. Encourage and pray over one another. GOING VERTICAL Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. It’s not simply about what God can do for us, but about discovering the sufficiency and power of being attuned to His presence. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak. PRAYER LORD JESUS CHRIST, You made me for Yourself — to know You, to love You, and to live for You now and through all eternity. I believe in You. I seek You. I trust in You. Help me Live IT Today. #LiveITToday DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen. DAILY PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: https ://MassImpact.us/PRAYERCARD SUBSCRIBE FREE to receive LIVE IT TODAY: http ://LiveITToday.us | JOIN US IN LIVING IT: http ://ILoveMyFamily.us | PARTNERS: https ://MassImpact.us/PARTNER THIS MONTH'S LIVE IT TODAY is made possible by the generosity of the Archbold Furniture Company. https ://ArchboldFurniture.com | 733 W. Barre Rd., Archbold, Ohio Want to help advance the Kingdom through your business? Become a monthly sponsor. Let’s partner in making disciples! Contact us: Alive@MassImpact.us HELP US SLAY GIANTS at http ://SlayingGiants.us "Slaying Giants" is King David's epic fall from grace into being an instrument of salvation told in a way you've never experienced before. Some of the nation’s best-known Christian leaders and authors have called it: "Remarkable," "Brilliant," "Captivating," "Convicting," and "Beautiful." We would be so grateful for your help to beautifully package, publish, and promote this — making it available for free to those who cannot afford a copy. Holy Spirit, come! (fb)