Tax Collectors and Prostitutes

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man has two sons. He came to first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not.' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did the father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."

Consideration: We are called to do the Father's will always. At times, our hearts speak to us to do the right thing; do we respond yes and drift off to other things; or respond no, then complete the task because it was the right thing to do. Others may be caught up in things not pleasing to God. We may also cast judgment upon them because they do not hide their shame. Shame on us for doing so; we do not know their state in life. The Lord is the only one who can see into the depths of the heart. Unrepented hypocrites may not enter into the kingdom of God; but contrite sinners who love the Lord with all of their heart, by the grace of God certainly will. Amen.

At the Cross

There are no roses at the cross; no smiles only tears

There are no roses at the cross; sweet Jesus is there

No roses sweet Jesus: there are no smiles only tears

No roses sweet Jesus: at the cross...my Jesus is there

It's so hard, to carry this heavy load; so hard, to do it on my own

Burden of sin, so overwhelming; how do I start, where do I begin

My Jesus, my Jesus, help me, help me, please

My Jesus, my Jesus, from this sin and misery

My Jesus, my Jesus, help me, help me, please

My Jesus, I know you are there...rescue me!

No roses at the cross; I know your mercy is there

No roses at the cross; only grace to have no fear

It's so hard, to carry this heavy load; so hard, to do it on my own

Burden of sin, so overwhelming; how do I start, where do I begin

My Jesus, my Jesus, there is hope at the cross

My Jesus, my Jesus, there is mercy for the lost

My Jesus, my Jesus, I'm down upon my knees

My sweet Jesus I believe...you can set me free!

Praise the name of Jesus for the crosses we bear

Praise the name of Jesus for weakness and despair

Praise the name of Jesus for the shedding of tears

Praise the name of Jesus at the cross...he is there!

Pay Attention

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Consideration: The disciples believed in Jesus, but they did not understand all things because it was hidden from them. They could not comprehend the magnitude of what was to soon take place. Jesus allowed things to be revealed before them a piece at a time so they would clearly see the truth when the time arrived.  

Over two thousand years later, we have seen the story revealed to us through the Gospel. We have the grace of wisdom because it has been given to us. The time is at hand for us to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus, with love. Many still do not understand the truth. People are caught up in the world and all of its vices and webs of destruction. If we spend the time to help others to understand, the Holy Spirit will infuse their hearts with truth; the truth will set them free. Amen.

"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.