Wisdom is Vindicated

Jesus said to the crowds: "To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.' "For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is vindicated by all of her children."

Consideration: Hypocrisy once again is shown by the people of this generation that Jesus is speaking about. Speaking falsely about John the Baptist, and Jesus as well. But wisdom will win out in time, and truth will be vindicated when the generation passes and truth is revealed to her offspring. Amen.

Do not Weep

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people." This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

Consideration: Jesus said, "Do not weep." This tremendous miracle not only raised a dead man to new life but should open the eyes of all people to see Jesus as the Son of Man. As we are known for the works that we do, Jesus, with this act that no mortal being is capable of now or ever, clearly defines him as the "Son of God." Amen.

Pleasing to God

Beloved: First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and Apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Consideration: Saint Paul tells us that there is one mediator between God and men, he who gave himself as ransom for all, Jesus Christ. Our faith, hope, and trust are in the Lord; His grace is the guiding light that will lead us to His beloved Son, Jesus. Amen.

He Shall Reign

Looking for answers in a world of distress; is there any hope left?

Empty promises to clean up the mess; we walk in the wilderness.

Chatter says the end is near; walking on the edge of endless fear.

Never give in, never lose hope, never cave; the King is on the way.

Everything we need; healing misery; transform darkness to light; all in a moment's time.

The wait is over, keep the faith, blessings will shower amazing grace.

Tears will dry, the lame healed, in a moment's time his glory revealed! 

All will witness, every eye shall see, the Son of Man in all his majesty.

The promise, magnificent splendor, choir of Angels chanting glory be.

In a moment's time, the earth will be still, the power of darkness shaken down by his will.

 
He shall reign, he shall reign, he shall reign, with all his power, all his glory, he shall reign!

He shall reign, he shall reign, he shall reign, with all his power, all his glory, he shall reign!

He shall reign, in all his splendor he shall reign, the Son of Man in all his majesty shall reign!

The choir of Angels chanting glory be; Christ the King in all his majesty..."He Shall Reign"!!!

Set Enmity Aside

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the Lord's vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from Lord the Lord? Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins? Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; Remember the Most High's covenant, and overlook faults. 

Consideration: This very important message from the Book of Sirach is explained in simple and understandable words. Vengeance is not the way the Lord expects us to deal with adversity and pain in our lives that may have come from others in our families or meet along the journey of life. We are told to extend mercy and forgiveness to our offenders if we expect to be pardoned from the Lord for our shortcomings as well. Love always wins in the end, set enmity aside, and the peace you seek inside of you will be released through mercy. Amen.

Rotten Fruit and Structure

Jesus said to his disciples, "A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do what I command? I will show you what someone is like that comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid a foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against the house but could not shake it because it had been well built. But the one who listens and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it , it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed." 

Consideration: A man who has spent a lifetime toiling in the soil and building structures understands fully that the words of Jesus are so true. To produce good fruit the poor soil must be cultivated and nourished to bring forth a healthy harvest. In the same way a structure will only resist the forces of nature if it is built on a solid foundation. The end result will only produce a positive result only if there was sacrifice, effort, and hard work applied through the entire process. Nothing worthwhile is easy, but when all is said and done, a bounty of fruit will shine forth, and the structures built on solid ground will endure for a lifetime and beyond. Amen.

A Blind Guide

Jesus told his disciples a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into the pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brothers eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your own eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye."

Consideration: Jesus once again points out the hypocrisy of people. Are we guilty of this serious sin? Before we condemn another person for any reason we should reflect on our actions as well. If we were guilty of the same sin and acknowledged our sinfulness to the Lord, we may be in a better position to help another person trapped in the same way to a way of freedom from the issue. Amen.