"Love"

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for everything under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to morn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What advantage has the worker from his toil? I have considered the task that God has appointed that the sons of men to be busied about. He has made everything appropriate for its time and has put the timeless into their hearts, without man's ever discovering, from the beginning to end, the work which God has done. 

Consideration: There is an appointed time for everything as described in reading from Ecclesiastes. With all the difficulties that daily life may send our way, this is a great time to reflect on what time it is in our own personal lives. We as individuals cannot control the big picture of worldly circumstances, but we can control the life we have been blessed with in most cases. Today, the Lord is speaking to us through this reading. Together, let us pray for one another, let us pray for peace; our families, friends, and those who are sick and have needs; the leaders of nations; and our spiritual leaders. Most of all, let us pray to our God for the blessing of "Love." Only with "Love," can we as people of God carry out the mission that He has prepared for all of His children. Amen.

The Christ of God

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am? " They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.' "Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God." He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."

Consideration: Peter, a fisherman, was the only disciple who recognized Jesus as the Christ. Jesus knew that Peter with all of his failings and shortcomings was to be the one that he would choose to lead his church. 

We too, with all of our failings and shortcomings, are called by Jesus for a role as well. We are the body of the church; called to live our lives in a way to draw others to the Kingdom of God. This is not possible without the grace of God. We must pray for the grace of perseverance, that no matter what obstacle the evil one uses to cause us to stumble, we will not waiver; arise and fight on. Amen.

The Rock

 

One Friday a man walking along a riverbank picked up a rock, but this rock was like no other. He imagined that he was able to lay upon the rock the difficulties that consumed his heart; all of life’s burdens, troubles, pain, and suffering.

 He took the rock home, placed it before the cross in his room and said a prayer. He asked the Lord to help him to deal with all the many burdens and troubles that he had placed before Him. With faith and trust, he believed the Lord heard and would answer his plea for help.

 Sometime later the man awoke; filled with the healing power of the Lord’s compassion and love. For the first time, in a long time, he no longer felt overwhelmed by all that had troubled him for so long. He felt that he was given the grace to be able to deal with the obstacles that everyday life would impose on him. The man was overjoyed that he was now free.

 One Friday our Lord Jesus Christ picked up a cross. Upon it lay the weight of all the burdens, troubles, and sinfulness of mankind. With true love and compassion, he carried this cross to its destination. He carried with him all the pain that this world would ever endure. On Friday afternoon he bowed his head and breathed His last. It was finished.

 On Easter Sunday morning many prayers were answered. Jesus moved away the large rock that locked Him in the tomb. He walked past the rock that was meant to close Him in forever and never looked back. He conquered sin and death for all eternity.

 Once we cast away our burdens and troubles, we too must never look back. Free from the things that weighed us down, we must now look forward to our heavenly crown. With His passion and death, our Lord opened the Golden Gates. As we journey home, evading the many obstacles in our way, he patiently waits.

 Our Lord Jesus Christ said to Peter, “You are rock, and upon this rock I will build my church.” It’s amazing that Jesus used the rock to describe his church. No two rocks are the same. Each has its own unique beauty and imperfections. But together, each supports the ones that follow bonded together they become one. The finished product is a mosaic of beauty laid upon the throne of Almighty God.

A rock is only a rock when it stands alone. But The Kingdom of God is built stone by precious stone!

God’s Servant,

Anthony

The Good News

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them." Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

Consideration: Jesus knew that his time was at hand, and it was time to send out those he had chosen. He blessed them and sent out as sheep among wolves to proclaim the Good News and to do the Father's will. Directing them on how they were to carry out the mission. Normal men were given extraordinary gifts to do amazing things. 

This is exactly what Jesus is calling us to do as well. We are his boots on the ground in the world today. We are called carry out directive just as the Twelve were called. We must be brave and expect push back from the forces of darkness who live contrary to the Gospel of Christ. Go forward and boldly proclaim the Good News to those that hunger and thirst for righteousness; and those in darkness as well. Amen.

Act on the Word

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, and they wish to see you." He said to them in reply, "My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

Consideration: These words of our Lord, Jesus, should bring us to the realization of how we must react to his teachings. If we hear his words and keep on the road to laziness and continue on the worldly path, then we are separated from him. But if we hear his words and become one with them; we become one with him as well and share a family relationship with our Lord. Amen.

See the Light

Jesus said to the crowd: "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone that has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away."

Consideration: Jesus gives us truth in plain language. Our actions that we may think will not become exposed and can be kept secret is foolish thinking on our part. Also, Jesus tells us that if we are faithful and make every effort to follow his truth and live in righteousness then we shall be blessed. Together, let us remain faithful and live lives full of gratitude to our Lord and to follow his teachings. Amen.

Cynical as Hell

Look in every direction, it’s there,

In people, places, things, so beware,

A sugar-coated treat so it's sweet,

In the handshake of people we meet,

In the headlines of morning papers,

Big screen movie smiling faces,

Words of nonsense from the wise, 

Voices on the radio spewing lies,

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Not a cynical man, you may say that I am, listen up my friends, understand.

Cloth in beauty covered with lace, 

Or behind a smile of pretty face,

A fragrance with a tempting smell,

That may be coming out of hell,

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Not a cynical man; you may not believe it, just my opinion, I call it as I see it.

Enticing words from a speaker, 

Sound like everything is fine,

That once in a lifetime deal,

Read twice between the lines

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Not a cynical man, that’s the truth, just hard facts, that I learned as a youth.

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Much more to look out for; circumstances to tell, you would say I’m cynical, Cynical as Hell.