Forces of Darkness

Jesus said to his disciples, "You heard that is was said, you shall not commit adultery. But what I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart. If your right hand causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. it is better for you to lose one of members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. it is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. "It was also said, whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." 

Consideration: Only by the grace of God alone can a man avoid the temptations of the world. We exist in a place where we are surrounded, and bombarded, with the non-stop assaults of the evil one. Be on guard and pray always; the moment our guard is let down, we set ourselves up to be devoured by the forces of darkness. Pray always! Amen.

Love Our Neighbor

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to the judgement. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and them come and offer your gift.

Consideration: The Lord Jesus is clearly saying to us to love our neighbor, and if we are wronged to be merciful. This passage requires prayerful silent meditation for understanding and personal reflection for the way we conduct our lives.

Consecration To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

We surrender the hope and love in our hearts

Our lives, our failures, our struggles and joys
No way for us to carry all these burdens alone
Living wellspring of grace we give it all to you
Inexhaustible source of mercy transform anew
These hearts of fire burning with love for you
Heal our infirmities, our sufferings and wounds
This day we consecrate our entire being to you
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus we surrender to you, every thought, every action,
Every smile, every tear, every longing that the human heart has ever known,
Lord, we give you all that we are, all that we possess, our families, our friends,
Our broken world, raging wars, flawed cultures, divisions, disappointments,
Loneliness, uncertainties, needs, dignity, sinful desires, and shortcomings 

Lord Jesus, with great love and devotion we consecrate ourselves to your 

"Most Sacred Heart", grant us all the graces necessary to truly love you with all

Of our heart, soul, and being. Have mercy on us dear Lord, that one day we may

Share in your eternal glory, accompanied by all the angels and saints in heaven.

Glory, Honor, Praise, to you, "Lord Jesus Christ" forever and ever. Amen.

The Laws of God

Jesus said to his disciples: Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass way, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of the letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." 

​Consideration: We are called to obey the laws of God; and by doing so, be examples of those who are willing to be persecuted for their faith. Many will see that we are followers of God's laws by the works we do and how we conduct our lives, and they too will come to believe. Amen.

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.