A Bold Proclamation

Jesus said to his Apostles: "As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words-go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town." 

Consideration: Jesus directs his Apostles on their mission. This mission was to be conducted without taking payment of any sort. The gift that they were blessed with was to be given freely; as it was given to them. They were to boldly proclaim: "The Kingdom of heaven is at hand." Leave their peace with the households that received them with love; and shake the dust from their feet from those who did not receive them and the message they were sent to deliver. Peace!

Jesus sends the Twelve

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. 

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 the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" 

Consideration: The Lord, Jesus, sends forth his Apostles into enemy lines. Instructing them to go directly to those of the house of Israel to boldly proclaim: The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus knew that it was there that they would encounter the greatest resistance. 

Do we have the courage to go into our spaces and boldly proclaim that we are Christians; not only with words, but by our actions as well?

The Laborers are Few

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He drives out demons by the prince of demons." 

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his 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."

Lord Jesus, we ask you to send your people an abundance of true shepherds to guide us through this journey of life. We also ask for the graces necessary to send us out into our communities and wherever you may lead us to witness to those we come in contact with on a daily basis. The evil one is cunning and wants to destroy the peace within families; fill us with your love and peace that will have the ability to fight off the forces of darkness and, restore peace to those we love the most; the family. Amen.

"Courage Daughter"

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, "My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live." Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, "if only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured." Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, "Courage daughter! Your faith has saved you." And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official's house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, "Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping." And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And the news of this spread throughout all of the land.

Consideration: The official who knelt down before Jesus; the woman suffering for twelve years with hemorrhages, believed in Jesus; in his words, and his works. How many people were miraculously healed by Jesus? By their faith they were delivered from, sickness, demon possession, fornication, adultery; even death. 

Do we possess the courage, humility; and the childlike simplicity to approach the Lord with faith, and to lay upon his cross our countless petitions and needs? He is waiting patiently for us to believe, trust; and love him above all things, our hearts on fire for his tenderness, and love. Amen. 

“America the Beautiful” 

We the people, inherited a land carved to perfection by the Creator's hands. Nestled between two vast bodies of water; this treasure, refined like nothing else before it; and nothing on this earth ever to come. Rich and fertile soil to bring forth an abundance of vegetation, to nourish all living creatures who would roam the land. Crystal clear, rivers, lakes, and streams hidden between majestic mountains high and valleys low. Timber from every species of tree as far as the eye can see. Beauty so magnificent and mesmerizing that the awesome power of God is seen in all of its majesty.

"America the Beautiful" God shed His grace on thee. A "Blessed Nation" to live in Peace, Freedom, and Liberty! Happy 250th America! Amen.

My Yoke is Easy

At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Lord Jesus, call us to yourself, that with you, we shall always be. Yoke us to yourself Lord, that being attached to you in all things, the evil one will not be able to detach us from being one with you for all of eternity. Amen.

"We have seen the Lord"

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
But Thomas said to them,
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Consideration: Lord Jesus, increase our faith, that we may believe in the things that we cannot see when it comes from your word. You are the Way, Truth, and Life; if we place complete trust in you, we will have nothing to fear. Amen.