The Remnant of Israel

At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the Lord: the people that escaped the sword have found favor in the desert. As Israel comes forward to be given its rest, the Lord appears to him from afar: With age-old love have I loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel; Carrying your festive tambourines, you will go forth dancing with the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits. Yes, a day will come when the watchmen will call out on Mount Ephraim: "Rise up, let us go to Zion, to the Lord, our God." For thus says the Lord: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel. Jeremiah 31:1-7

Vessels to Truth

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal." He summoned the crowd and said to them, "Hear and understand. It is not what enters one's mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out that defiles one," Then his disciples approached and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?" He said in reply, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."  

Consideration: At times we are advised to conduct our lives in a certain way by people in the public eye. Then we are ridiculed when we decide on our own to move in a different direction. When we base our decisions on sound doctrine and wisdom, we need not second guess ourselves but rejoice that God is with us. A heart beating in rhythm with the word of the Lord opens the vessels to truth. Amen.

The Love of God in Christ Jesus

Brothers and sisters; What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Consideration: There is nothing in this world or beyond; and never be in the future, anything that will ever separate us from the love of Christ. Amen! Amen! Amen!

Five Loaves and Two Fish

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew to a deserted place by himself. The crowd heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the large crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have." Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over - twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

Lord Jesus, you nourished the crowds with five loaves and two fish, and they were completely satisfied. Fill us with the graces necessary to satisfy the many things in this life that we hunger for; that we may be satisfied and remain in total union with your will. Amen.

Post Editing

 

My apologies to the viewers of my blog. I have no control over the editing of the post. Something does not want this effective blog to be viewed as I try to present it; and I have no ability to correct the post. It also does not allow commenting on the post; again, I have no control over that as well. Thank you reading the posts. God bless you all.

Anthony 

John the Baptist

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, "it is not lawful for you to have her." Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter performed a dance before the guests, and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she may ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oath and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came in and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Consideration: The sin of lust and pride entered into Herod; and he allowed himself to be duped by Herodias. This act caused the violent death of John the Baptist.

Wisdom and Mighty Deeds

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith. 

Consideration: Jesus returned to his native place only to be rejected. Though they marveled at his wisdom and deeds. 

We know the history of Jesus through the Gospel. All of his words and deeds have been documented for all people. Yet, even with the vast information able to reach all people around the world many still reject him today.

Lord Jesus, shower your graces upon all Christians that we may never waver in our duty to make you known and loved in a world where many still reject you today. Amen.