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.

Life is Christ

Brothers and sisters: Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I gone on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I will choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Consideration: Paul persecuted Christ with an intensity of no other man at the time. His conversion was so extreme that he became leader of professing Jesus as the Christ and helped to convert many to the Christian faith, both then and now. He wanted dearly to depart this world and to be with Jesus in paradise, yet he knew how important it was for him to remain and continue on converting people to Christ. Amen.

Rich Soil

 When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town to another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. "A Sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold." After saying this he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear." "This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are one's the who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among the thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are chocked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word , embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance." 

Consideration: Jesus gives this treasured parable to us for inner reflection. Hearing the word of God, with all the richness contained in it, do we allow it to penetrate our hearts to the point of bursting with love for him. Do we take the treasure and bury it for another time more convenient for us; wasting away its value? Or, when hearing it, become so inflamed with the content that we are infused with to share it with everyone we come in contact with. We are the light of the world that has been overcome by darkness. We need to go out and sow seeds of faith, hope, trust, and love. We must nurture, condition, and cultivate the seeds we sow. This is an act of love; time invested will bring forth a harvest of souls for the Lord. Amen.

The Good News

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve, and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities. Mary, called Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out. Joanna the wife of Herod's steward Churza, Susanna and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

Consideration: Lord, Jesus, only you knew how much time was available to fulfill the Father's plan. Touching the hearts of all you came in contact with, and those who heard the good news. Healing countless numbers of people, both physically and spiritually as well. You chose the Twelve to carry on the work you started so that those who followed and believed in you would not be left orphaned. Send us the graces necessary to continue the journey of faith and salvation in the world today. Christianity must flourish and remain faithful to the Gospel if we are to heal as a people of God. Amen.