Bad and Good Alike

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, "Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast." Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, "The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests."

Consideration: The invitation has been sent out by the servants of the King. All have been invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb. The finest of all food and drink have been prepared and are waiting for the guests to arrive. Many of the summoned guests refused the invitation, others ignored it and went about their lives. So the King sent his servants into the streets where both the bad and good alike live their lives. The invited guest prepared themselves for this awesome event. Together, they entered the banquet and were filled with the Masters peace and joy. We too have been invited; we must prepare ourselves for the day that we are summoned. Amen.

Freed!

 

Emotions running high day and night 

Mind twisting though a must win fight

A lifelong battle raging highs and lows

Taking a toll on a battered weary soul

Time reveals the hidden and unseen

Faith is the key within to be set free 

Caught up in a web of division tearing us apart

In need of answers branded deep in the heart

Time to gather my senses; live truth inside of me

Cast aside my defenses; allow love to set me free

Emotions running high day and night 

Mind twisting though a must win fight

A lifelong battle raging highs and lows

Taking a toll on a battered weary soul

Faith takes time to play out so believe

Faith is the love of living out the dream

I search my soul for answers with fire in my heart

Away from all of life's romancers keeping us apart

I search my soul for truth; I was blind now I see

Emotions fade away and all the highs and lows flee

Faith takes time to play out; believe; live the dream; freed!

The Word of God

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied," He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

Consideration: Jesus responds to the woman who called out to him while he was speaking. What he said to her should knock us all to our knees. He immediately redirects the focus away from him and gives God the Father the glory. Blessed are those who hear the word of God; living out the truth that is alive in them and observes the power that they bring to our daily lives. Amen.

The Spirit Through Faith

Brothers and sisters: Realize it is those who have faith that are children of Abraham. Scripture, which saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, foretold the good news to Abraham saying, Through you shall all the nations be blessed. Consequently, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham who had faith. For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in all things written in the book of the law. And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear, for the one who is righteous by faith will live. But the law does not depend on faith; rather, the one who does these things will live by them. Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree, that the blessings of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Consideration: Saint Paul's words speak to us about faith. Faith is a word that Jesus said that could move mountains. Are we as children of God willing to risk all by living our lives according to the teachings of Christ Jesus? Be not afraid; and let us move forward in truth; with the faith that will move mountains. Amen.

Ask; Seek; Knock

Jesus said to his disciples: "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up and give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 'And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who asks him?" 

Consideration: Jesus says, ask; seek; knock; and you will receive; you will find; and the door will be opened. We need to be persistent in prayer, with hope; trust; and love, to the Father who loves us so much that he gave the world his only beloved Son. Amen.

Lord, Teach us to Pray

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hollowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test."

Consideration: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us the words to adore and praise the Father. These words are the guiding light that will lead us home. Praise the name of God the Father this day and for all of eternity! Amen.

The Grace of Service

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

Consideration: When we are called to serve others it is not always easy to do; but if we do it with love, the Lord will surely bless us. Amen.