Extend His Love and Peace

A long day in the ER room full of uncertainty. We never know what may come our way. Activity in the adjoining space, people in and out all day. The emotion was heavy in this grief filled room. I knew the feeling well, having been there myself. One by one, in and out of the door. Talked to a young man in the corridor. A somber look on his face, I said to him, "I'm sorry for your pain." "He's, my dad." He said to me. I asked him his name; "Douglas." he said. "I will say a prayer for him." With thanks he turned away. I prayed that the Lord would have mercy on his soul; and grant him eternal rest. Never be surprised if the Lord opens a door to serenity and places you there to extend his love and peace.

If the World Hates You

Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. if you belong to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than its master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they keep my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all the things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me."

​Consideration: Jesus tells us when we are criticized and persecuted for our faith we have been chosen by him. Stand firm always and hold your head high when others scrutinize how you conduct your life, especially when it comes to faith, and family affairs. You have heard the Son; and know and believe in the Father who sent him. Amen.

With You in Paradise

Jesus said to his disciples, "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. This I command you: love one another." 

​Lord Jesus, you came into the world freely to save mankind from its wicked sinfulness. "No one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." Your life was given for us all, that one day we may spend eternity with you in Paradise. Amen.

The Father's Love

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

Consideration: This brief scripture passage is very powerful. Jesus is very clear that his love for his disciples is Immense. If we heed his words and keep the Father's commandments, we will remain in his love, as he is in the Father's love. Amen.

Glorify the Father

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just As a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw then into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear fruit and become my disciples." 

Lord Jesus, grant us the graces necessary to bear fruit and to always remain in you. So, we may glorify the Father and become your disciples. Amen.

I Love the Father

Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and will come back to you.' if you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going back to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but world must know that I love the Father and I do just as the Father has commanded me."

Consideration: Jesus gives his peace to his disciples and comforts them. He tells them that he is going back to his Father and that he loves his Father. Jesus also tells them that the ruler of the world is coming and that he has no power over him. The ruler of this world seems to be in control over the people of many today. Be not afraid because he has promised to go and prepare a place for us; that where he is we also will be. We need only to live by his words as he has in doing what the Father commanded of him.

You Carried Us

Dear Lord, today was one of those days to praise you. Every direction turned into a chore, but you were close by, thank you. Sometimes the crosses in life can wear you down, but that is when I lean on you the most. You never let me down; you lift me up. I pray for anyone who had a difficult day today, or every day. Like the poem says, "When there was only one set of footprints in the sand it was then you carried us." Amen.