Our Father

Jesus said to his disciples: "Our Father who art in heaven, hollowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. "If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."

Consideration: Jesus sums everything up with these simple words. If we listen to these beautiful words and the wisdom found in them, then we have nothing to fear. These words represent the ticket for mankind to enter into eternal glory. This is the Gospel in its entirety. If we speak these words to the Father with sincerity and love, he will forgive us our transgressions and welcome us home. Amen.

The Key to the Kingdom

“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Lord Jesus, when you come in glory, may we be found to be among the righteous, welcomed by you to inherit the kingdom. To love our neighbor with sincerity is the key to the kingdom of eternal life. Amen.

Away with you Satan

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." He said in reply, "It is written: One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone." Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, you shall not put the Lord, your God to the test." Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and said to him, "All these things I shall give you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve." 

Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Lord Jesus, we too are tempted by the devil and his minions. Unfortunately, mankind has given way to sin. Grant us the grace of repentance; to be truly sorry for our transgressions, and to be reconciled to you. Then filled with thy grace we will be able to say to the devil, "Away with you Satan! We worship and serve our Lord and God alone!" Amen.

The Way of Truth

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me," And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have come not call the righteous to repentance but sinners." 

Lord Jesus, your words give hope to those who have fallen prey to the master of deception. Many have given up on them, but not you. They may have given up on themselves, but you have not given up on them. You have said, "I have come not to call the righteous to repentance but sinners." That is why you came into this world, because all of mankind, including the righteous, are in need of your divine healing and forgiveness. Bless us with the faith to seek out your mercy and move forward in the way of truth. Amen.

Trial and Tranquility

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

Consideration: As long as our lives are moving along at a steady pace and the road is smooth, we are comfortable. We do not feel the need to call upon the Lord because we feel in control. A bit further along a powerful storm moves in where peace was just present. Immediately we call upon the name of the Lord to save us from harm. The same is true with fasting, when we are satisfied and things are well, sacrifice is rarely thought of. But when there is an event that invades our tranquil lives and we suffer, prayer and fasting become necessary. In both circumstances, the Lord is with us; and the Lord loves us. 

Lord Jesus, may we always place you first in our lives and speak to you often, both in times of trial and times of tranquility. Amen.

The Things of Eternity

Saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself.?"

Lord Jesus, the world is on display for all to see. With all the lures and enticements, it has to offer us. Help us to be mindful of the passing things of this world, and to set our gaze upon the things of eternity that awaits all who love you. Amen.

"You are the Christ"

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked the disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." And he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Christ." Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and started to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

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Lord Jesus, as you rebuked Peter, so too, are we rebuked for our sinful pride. Help us, Lord, with Thy grace to ask for your loving mercy so we can continue on the mission that you are calling us to live out. Amen.