The Hypocrites

Jesus said to his disciples, ""Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, to do blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your heavenly Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." 

Consideration: Jesus, once again, explains to us that we must conduct our private and public lives without the appearance of pride. Our Father in heaven sees all things, and those who do works to be noticed by others, will not be rewarded by the Father. Humility, in prayer and all forms of generosity are seen by the Father, and he will repay us for our sincerity and love shown to him and to others.

The world, today, is drowning in pride, selfishness, and most of all hypocrisy. Let us pray to our Father, to receive from the Holy Spirit the grace of humility, that we may do his will, and be pleasing our Father. Amen.

Together...for Love!

Together…for Love

I don’t know what it is, I’m feeling it 

In every person, place and thing, seeing it

Even sleeping at night, I’m dreaming it

I don’t know what it is…but it’s real

 
Turning soil, the pushing, pulling, of hoeing 

Planting seeds, pruning limbs, pulling weeds

Watching the plants growing so amazingly 

I don’t know what it is…but it’s alive

 
In every smile and tear, happiness and pain

In friendships that have separated, mended

Families, split and broken, together again

 
I don’t know what it is, but you can sum it up like this, 

It is something we all need, it’s the human thing, 

When all things work together for love!

 
Back to basics where everything started 

Where hard work was a blessed thing to do

Raising families was a joy of selflessness 

 
This is the truth we need to get back to 

 
I can’t sleep, but I still dream, I see everything renewed; 

People laughing; smiling again; stories telling with friends; 

Families mended; tears ended; just like it used to be,

It’s the human thing, all things work together…for love!

Be Perfect

Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and cause the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brother only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Consideration: Jesus is bringing to our attention that to love means, love everyone. We are to rise above the wisdom of the world and always work toward peace, even with our enemies. God cares for all of his children, the good, and bad alike. Jesus asks us to be perfect, just as the heavenly Father is perfect. He knows this is not easy, but we are to rise above the instincts of our human nature and strive to do his will. Amen.

Live With Humility

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. if anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow."

Consideration: Are we being asked to swallow our pride and live with humility? Grant us, dear Lord, the grace of understanding to listen to your words and to reflect with all of our hearts, so we may do your will in all things. Amen.

Two Covers

Two Covers

 

We live our lives, dream our dreams

It goes so fast, it's so hard to believe

We make mistakes, we make amends

Love your family, love your friends

 

Hold on to the truth, seal every deal

Always do what's right, keep it real​

Put away the anger, living in past

It's hard to believe life goes so fast

​

Some pass this way for a short time, others to a ripe old age and gray

We don't hold the answers to why, keep faith, believe, we will one day 

​

Everything will pass and fade away

Nothing will be left for another day

Time is racing quickly to an end

Love your family, love your friends

​

Every book has a beginning and end

A story written on the pages within

Front cover open; back one closed

Souls living through the unknown

​

Some pass this way for a short time, others to a ripe old age and gray

We don't hold the answers to why, keep faith, believe, love, and pray!

 

 

Without Cost

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus' heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Then he summoned his disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and cure every disease and every illness. Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, "Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation:  'The kingdom of God is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."

Lord Jesus, you sent out your disciples and gave them a clear directive of what they were to do, and where they were to go and carry out your will. The disciples were given authority over unclean spirits, and to cure every disease and illness by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We may not be able to cure the sick, drive out demons, or raise the dead, but we can use our gifts, talents, and prayers to call upon the Holy Spirit to give us the graces necessary assist those in need. Our gifts and prayers are to be given freely to those in need; as God's gifts were given freely to us. Amen.

"Yes, means yes and No, means no"

Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors. Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of a great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your 'Yes mean 'Yes and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the Evil One."

Consideration: The Lord is telling us in very simple language to keep it real. Our yes, means yes, and our no, means no. No explanations are needed to explain any further. We have all heard the expression: "The devil is in the details."

Jesus, sums it up perfectly: "Anything more is from the Evil One." Amen.