The Present Time

Jesus said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain-and so it does; and when you know that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to hot-and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

​Consideration: Life is difficult; we all have eyes to see that there are many problems around us. In the space that we find our place in this world to live among our fellow man, we should make every effort to coexist with them in peace for the good of all. If issues arise, we should make every effort to settle our differences without conflict as best we can. Jesus tells us to interpret the present time that we live in. Let us pray for the grace of understanding that we will use our best judgement for the good of all. Amen.

Blazing

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Consideration: Jesus has set the earth on fire; and it is truly blazing! Just to mention the name of Jesus in the world today causes much conflict and division. Christianity is under assault from many directions; but we who are Christians must be firm in our faith; never backing down of proclaiming Jesus as our Lord, and Savior. Amen.

"The Lord"

 

A long time my friend, a very long time

The end of the road in a blink of an eye

How it all ends, I'm praying with hope

Hold on to wonder and reason for it all

 

The times you were alone, I was with you; when you lost your way, guided you through; took your hand, to carry on; I will always be; and you with me! 

 

Never lose hope, keep pushing through 

Know my eyes are always fixed on you

The power from on high is your lifeline   

Take hold of my hand, place it in mine 

 

The times you were alone, I guided you home; picked you up when you fell and cried out please; wiped your tears; calmed your fears; yes...it was me!

 

And in the end, we will meet again; you will see the reason for it all; your guiding light through your fight, to find your way back home; I love you so, your friend...the Lord!

Be Prepared

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be sure of this; if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all of his property. But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servants master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his masters will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."

Consideration: Jesus speaks a parable that tells us to be prepared, faithful, and obedient. Those who are complacent and do not do the will of their master are told that they will suffer punishment for their foolish behavior and actions. Let us pray for the grace of wisdom; to know the will of the Lord and to be prepared always for his return. Amen.

The Harvest

Jesus told the crowd a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?' And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!" But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you, and things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God."

Consideration: Jesus tells a parable to the crowd that is a wake-up call for us today as well. Many spend their lives accumulating material things and wealth. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy as long as the harvest gives glory to God as well. Many do much good with the bounty that they have been blessed with, but others never seem to have enough. Heed the words of God, "You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you, and things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?" Amen.

Be Vigilant

Jesus said to the disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."

Consideration: To be prepared is a great quality to possess. Jesus tells his disciples to be prepared; to be vigilant, and in doing so that they will be blessed and rewarded greatly upon his return. Amen!

Your Dream

Dream and believe, breathe life into things, that feed the soul, that make you whole, take full control, of your heart and mind, the reason for life, to lift to guide, soar to mountains high, there you will find, there you will see, there you will live…your dream!

Believe you can overcome, believe you can be set free, believe if you have fallen from grace, believe endless possibilities, believe the time has arrived, believe this moment in life, believe you have come this far for a reason, seeing is believing...is dreaming!

Dream and believe, love your neighbor, let bitterness end, heal old wounds, be kind to a friend, sick need mending, offer your hand, breathe life into things, feed the soul, fallen from grace, be set free, you will find, you will see, you will live…your dream!