A Child Smile

We see violence exchanged

Life is not all fun and games

How much more can we take

Endless pain…senseless hate

Streets are breeding grounds

Different angles beaten down

Mutual respect rarely exists

As desire for control persists

As we go to work, pay the bills, put food on the table, fight to do right, while the system decays before our eyes, and in exhausted prayer ask from the heart…why

Days are hard but we push on

Struggle and wonder how long

Families attacked from all sides

Only the firm in faith will survive

Blistered hands; swollen feet

Day after day to the same beat

But when you see a child smile

Yes, friends, it’s all worthwhile

Tomorrow it will all start over

And nothing really will change

New strength for another mile

Thinking of your child’s smile

As we go to work, pay the bills, put food on the table, fight to do right, while the system decays before our eyes, and in exhausted prayer say, thank you Lord for another day. Amen.

 

 

Salt of the Earth

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?” It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Consideration: Jesus is telling us that we will continue to make a difference in this world if we don't allow ourselves to become stale. We must remain firm in faith and ready to give of ourselves for the glory of God in every season. Amen.  

"Divine Will"

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, " The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people." This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

Consideration: Once again, Jesus was filled with compassion for a grieving mother whose son had died. So great was his love for the broken-hearted mother that he uttered this command to the young man: "Young man, I tell you, arise!"

If we are broken hearted and in distress, let us turn to the Lord and seek out his compassionate mercy with a sincere heart; trusting fully in the "Divine Will". Amen.

Mercy...Mercy...Mercy!

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at customs post. He said to him, "Follow me," And he got up and followed him. While he was at the table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Lord Jesus, you came for all of humanity. We have all sinned and fallen short of your glory, but your mercy is endless and from generation to generation. Yes Lord, you came to call sinners...mercy, mercy, mercy, and forgiveness. Amen.

Two Roads

In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor I synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Consideration: Two Roads: Pride, arrogance, wealth, and power. Humility, sincerity, meekness, and poverty. Which road will the Shepherd guide his sheep down?

Son of David

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, "How do the scribes claim that Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord said to my lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.' David himself calls him 'lord'; so how is he his son?" The great crowd heard this with delight. 

Lord Jesus, bless us with the grace to be able to understand the many things in life that are confusing, troublesome, and difficult to understand. Amen.

Love the Lord Your God

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to them, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared ask him any more questions.

Consideration: Imagine, if the people in the world would follow these commandments in their lives. We would indeed be living a piece of heaven on earth. 

Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to follow your teachings on a daily basis. Loving God above all things with our entire being; is the reason for our existence. And loving our neighbor is what the Father expects of his children. Amen.