See the Light

Jesus said to the crowd: "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone that has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away."

Consideration: Jesus gives us truth in plain language. Our actions that we may think will not become exposed and can be kept secret is foolish thinking on our part. Also, Jesus tells us that if we are faithful and make every effort to follow his truth and live in righteousness then we shall be blessed. Together, let us remain faithful and live lives full of gratitude to our Lord and to follow his teachings. Amen.

Cynical as Hell

Look in every direction, it’s there,

In people, places, things, so beware,

A sugar-coated treat so it's sweet,

In the handshake of people we meet,

In the headlines of morning papers,

Big screen movie smiling faces,

Words of nonsense from the wise, 

Voices on the radio spewing lies,

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Not a cynical man, you may say that I am, listen up my friends, understand.

Cloth in beauty covered with lace, 

Or behind a smile of pretty face,

A fragrance with a tempting smell,

That may be coming out of hell,

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Not a cynical man; you may not believe it, just my opinion, I call it as I see it.

Enticing words from a speaker, 

Sound like everything is fine,

That once in a lifetime deal,

Read twice between the lines

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Not a cynical man, that’s the truth, just hard facts, that I learned as a youth.

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Much more to look out for; circumstances to tell, you would say I’m cynical, Cynical as Hell.

Life is Christ

Brothers and sisters: Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I gone on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I will choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Consideration: Paul persecuted Christ with an intensity of no other man at the time. His conversion was so extreme that he became leader of professing Jesus as the Christ and helped to convert many to the Christian faith, both then and now. He wanted dearly to depart this world and to be with Jesus in paradise, yet he knew how important it was for him to remain and continue on converting people to Christ. Amen.

Rich Soil

 When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town to another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. "A Sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold." After saying this he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear." "This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are one's the who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among the thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are chocked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word , embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance." 

Consideration: Jesus gives this treasured parable to us for inner reflection. Hearing the word of God, with all the richness contained in it, do we allow it to penetrate our hearts to the point of bursting with love for him. Do we take the treasure and bury it for another time more convenient for us; wasting away its value? Or, when hearing it, become so inflamed with the content that we are infused with to share it with everyone we come in contact with. We are the light of the world that has been overcome by darkness. We need to go out and sow seeds of faith, hope, trust, and love. We must nurture, condition, and cultivate the seeds we sow. This is an act of love; time invested will bring forth a harvest of souls for the Lord. Amen.

The Good News

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve, and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities. Mary, called Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out. Joanna the wife of Herod's steward Churza, Susanna and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

Consideration: Lord, Jesus, only you knew how much time was available to fulfill the Father's plan. Touching the hearts of all you came in contact with, and those who heard the good news. Healing countless numbers of people, both physically and spiritually as well. You chose the Twelve to carry on the work you started so that those who followed and believed in you would not be left orphaned. Send us the graces necessary to continue the journey of faith and salvation in the world today. Christianity must flourish and remain faithful to the Gospel if we are to heal as a people of God. Amen.

Totally Free

It's all on t​​he line; we're out of time; no more hiding behind...mystery

The sun shines; moon lights the night; stars glisten bright...beautifully

Living on the edge; truth or nonsense; life is so intense...set us free!

The one that sees though it all; will guide us if we stand tall...patiently

Words of despair, spreading fear, electronic screens...frightful scenes 

Wars explode; silver and gold; oil price overload...families taken a toll

Take up the cross; spiritual force; line drawn in the sand...yes, we can

We are not alone; time to stand tall; the one sees all...will set us free!

One thing is for sure; there is a cure; a remedy is on the way...Pray

The sun shines; moon lights the night; stars glisten bright...beautifully

The one that sees though it all; will guide us if we stand tall...patiently

Living in harmony; peacefully; beautifully; divine mystery; totally free!

Go in Peace

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with ointment. When the Pharisee invited had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "if this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner." Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon I have something to say to you."  "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the dept, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?" Simon said in reply, "The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But to the one whom little is forgiven, loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." the others at table said to themselves, "Who is this that even forgives sins?" But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Consideration: This reading gives us great hope. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We may think that our sins are so great that they are beyond forgiveness. Jesus tells us that if we love, show compassion and forgiveness to others, seek his mercy with humility and sincerity that we shall be forgiven. He is calling us; we need only to respond; "Lord, have mercy on me a sinner." Amen.