Places of Honor

On the sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people were observing him carefully. "He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing places of honor at table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in places of honor. A more distinguished guest may have been invited by him, and the host that invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you, he may say, 'My friend, move up to the higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Consideration: Praise be the wisdom of our Lord, Jesus. He is telling us to remain humble; never to place ourselves above others. We must not allow our human instincts to lead us to irrational decisions. Let our humility be a witness of the character within. The Lord who sees all things will one day reward us for our humility and goodness. Amen.

Healing on the Sabbath

On the sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, "is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?" But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them, "Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?" But they were unable to answer his question. 

Consideration: The Pharisees were looking for a way to put Jesus to the test. Maybe it was just a coincidence that the suffering man was directly in front of Jesus. They knew that Jesus would heal him on the sabbath, and he did. Jesus knowing this, quickly put them to the test by asking a question that could have an effect their lives as well. But the hypocrites were unable to answer his question. Amen.

Tell that Fox

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and on the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and kill those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

Consideration: Herod wanted to kill Jesus. The Pharisees came to warn him, and he commanded them to go and tell the fox, Herod, the words he spoke to them. His words were prophetic, especially these words: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Amen!

The Narrow Gate

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as we went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and unlocked the door; then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and west and from the north and south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Consideration: Jesus said, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate." And, "For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." 

Do we have the strength and courage to persevere through the narrow gate? We must live life as a prayer to our Father, who sees and knows all. And if we do, He who has arisen and unlocked the door, will be there to welcome us home. Amen.

The Kingdom of God

Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches." Again he said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened." 

Consideration: Jesus describes a process of growth that with time reaches fruition. Both examples require labor to prepare; time for growth; and finally, reaching the end for which they were created. This process sums up our journey here on earth; and if we are faithful, seek out the mercy of God, and amend our lives, we shall also rise to the eternal glory in the Kingdom of God. Amen.

My Lord, My God...My Love! / Meditation

 

How sweet is your love 

How sweet is your love

How sweet is your love

Lord, How sweet is your love

How great is your mercy

How great is your mercy 

How great is your mercy 

Lord, How sweet is your love

How great is your glory

How great is your glory

How great is your glory 

Lord, How sweet is your love

How great is your wisdom

How great is your wisdom 

How great is your wisdom

Lord, How sweet is your love

Praise your greatness and power 

Praise your greatness and power

Praise your greatness and power

Lord, How sweet is your love

Lord, How sweet is your love

Lord, How sweet is your love

Lord, How sweet is your love

My Lord, My God...My Love!

Healing on the Sabbath

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, "Woman, you are set free of your infirmity." He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured her on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, "There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day." The Lord said to him in reply, "Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?" When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him. 

Consideration: "Hypocrites! Jesus calls out the leader of the synagogue. He knew that they would chastise him for setting the woman free from her bondage. Nothing ever stopped Jesus from doing the right thing when he had the opportunity to heal someone that he chose to heal. 

Do we hesitate when we have the opportunity to help someone; or take a stand when we are ridiculed for being Christians? Lord, Jesus, we pray for the grace of courage, that we will always be faithful to your calling. Amen.