The Greatest Commandment

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Consideration: Not only do the prophets depend on these two commandments, but all of mankind as well. We see that the world we live in is conflict with everything contained in these two commandments. If only we could find a way to exist together in peace; put aside the pride within us, and with humility, love as the Lord loves us. All things are possible for those who love God. If we loved God, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we could move mountains; and certainly, we could love our neighbor and bring peace to a peaceless world. Amen.

The Gift of the Father

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does noy know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."

Consideration: Jesus' prayer to the Father, describes not only his love and relationship with his disciples, but, for us as well. By our faith believing in Jesus, we believe in his Father as well; glorifying God the Father, through our love for, and relationship with the Son. Jesus tells the Father that his disciples are a gift from him; and we too are a gift from the Father as well. Blessed are we, who place our hope and trust in the Lord. Amen.

The Last First and the Fist Last

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, "You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here Idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us,' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give the last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Inherit Eternal Life

Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen I say to you, it will be hard for one that is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier to for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For men this is Impossible, but for God all things are possible." Then Peter said to him in reply, "We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

Consideration: There are many who possess much, and yet are empty and void of peace within. The disciples, after spending much time with Jesus, came to believe in him and the truth he conveyed to all he came in contact with.

Do we possess the faith of the disciples? We live in a time where knowledge is at our fingertips; words of truth and falsehoods are heard with our ears; and we have the ability to see good and evil displayed before our eyes. We are at a crossroad in time; and it's now clear for us to choose sides. Jesus said, "I Am the Way; the Truth; and the Life." I pray that we, as one, will decide for Christ! Amen.

Enter into Life

A young man approached Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." He asked him, "Which ones?" And Jesus replied, "You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; your shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "if you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Consideration: Jesus tells the young man if he wished to enter into life, keep the commandments. When we are called, there are only two destinations; life or death. Only by the God's grace will we enter into life; that time will be for God to decide. We have been given a clear direction; it is for us to choose; the everlasting joy of Heaven; or to dwell forever in the wasteland of the damned. Amen.

Have pity on me Lord

At that time, Jesus withdrew to region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "it is not right to take the food of children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

Consideration: Jesus tells the woman that her faith is great; then he grants her request that the demon that tormented her daughter would be gone from her. 

Jesus tells us to ask and will shall receive; but we must ask with faith that request will be granted. We must always approach our Lord, with a contrite heart and a faithful spirit. Knowing that our Lord always hears and answers the prayers of his loving children. And if it pleases the Lord, he will grant our request in the way that it gives glory and honor to him and in a way that is best for the salvation of his children as well. Amen.

Let the Children come to Me

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Lord, Jesus, fill us with the grace of understanding and humility, that we who long for the Kingdom of heaven in our hearts, will indeed come to you with the hearts of children; when the human heart is at its purist form. Amen.