Satan fall like lightning from the sky

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread upon serpents and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven. At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." Turning to the disciples in private he said, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

Consideration: Jesus once again speaks to his disciples about the childlike. How blessed are we that the Lord has bestowed on us this tremendous grace and blessing. To be a follower of Christ we must continue to live and conduct our lives with the love and humility of a childlike spirit. In doing so, we may inspire others to seek out the truth that they observe in us. Amen.

Woe to You

Jesus said to them, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgement than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, "Will you be exalted to heaven? 'You will go down to the netherworld.' Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." 

Consideration: Jesus performed many deeds for others to see around him. But there were many who witnessed these deeds but did not give him honor for them in various places. He tells them that in rejecting him, they are rejecting the one who sent him as well. 

We have all witnessed things that would not have been possible except for the Lord's intervention. Let us give him the praise, honor, and glory for all the good he has bestowed on us in all of our many needs. Amen.

Become Like Children

The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me."

​Consideration: Jesus explains to his disciples how one must live their lives in order to enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Imagine, people of the world living with the love and humility of a child. Evil exists because hatred and pride have entered into our hearts causing the peril we find ourselves in today. Today is the day of salvation; may we together as one people of God with humble hearts live and proclaim the Kingdom of God so that one day we will be welcomed into his glory in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

"Follow Me"

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go say farewell to my family at home." Jesus answered him, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God."

Consideration: Jesus makes it very clear to those who wish to follow him; we must be willing to put everything else behind us and move forward with faith. The road to the Kingdom of God is very narrow and winding. Not all are able to put aside all of their obligations; but it will take much sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance on our part to live a life to proclaim the Kingdom of God to those we come in contact with on a daily basis, and to our families and friends as well. Amen.

Fire from Heaven

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. 

Consideration: Jesus rebuked his disciples for attempting to use the power he gave to them for act of violence against the Samaritan village. Jesus will never force others to do his will. This is a good lesson for us today to ponder. We have a free will that was given to us by God. He expects us to use it wisely and exercise sound judgement; not for evil or sinful purposes, but for the good of ourselves and for others as well. Amen.

Least Among You

An argument arose among the disciples about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention or their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest."  Then John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company." Jesus said to him, "Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."

Consideration: The disciples may have been very surprised at the answer Jesus gave them regarding who among them was the greatest. Being humbled with words the least among you is the greatest. 

Do we seek recognition and praise for the works we do for the kingdom? Remember, to serve God is to serve our neighbor with the greatest gift of all, love! Amen.

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.