The Works They Do

Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them."

Consideration: if you really want to know a person, don't listen to their alluring, or enticing words; watch their actions. Look at the people surrounding them, and, if what they say and do has a positive impact on those they claim to help. Is there sincere goodness and peace in the works they do? Many in authority have selfish, self-centered motivations. The words of Jesus are so true in every aspect of life: "By their fruits you will know them." So true! Amen.

The Narrow Gate

Jesus said to his disciples: Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. 
"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law of the Prophets.
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." 

Consideration: it is so easy to do the wrong thing in life. How many of us hear people say, "Everyone one is doing it." We know it's wrong, and yet, sometimes we give into the pressure and regret it afterwards. Remember, the Lord sent us the grace ahead of our action to realize it was sinful. How great it feels when we refuse to take the bait and resist the trap set before us. The Lord rewards those who stand firm to resist and pass through the narrow gate and constricted road; the reward that leads to eternal life. Amen.

Christ the King

​Empty words, silent chords, rhythms and melodies with no soul

I wish I could play gratitude for you; how much I love you in a song

I wonder if angels sing harmonies, adoring and praising, in eternity

 
What a joyous time it will be, when we hear the heavens rejoicing

Glory and praise to our God, he who is and will ever be 
Glory and praise to our God, all and all of all majesty
Glory and praise to our God, I Am of love everlasting
Glory and praise to our God, praise to Christ the King 

One day when time is no more, we will find our way home

There where peace resides, and love will forever live on

Our voices alive, words will flow out in melodies of praise

We shall be home with our Lord, forever praise his name

Glory and praise to our God, he who is and will ever be 
Glory and praise to our God, all and all of all majesty
Glory and praise to our God, I Am of love everlasting
Glory and praise to our God, praise to Christ the King

Stop Judging

Jesus said to his disciples: "Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you see the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,' while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye."

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us these simple words of truth. We are quick to condemn our brothers, without first condemning ourselves of being guilty of much worse. Grant us the grace necessary never to ridicule and condemn others; that we may assist each other on the road to glory. Amen.

Fear No One

Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs on your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father." 

​Consideration: My father said to me many times, "You can fool me, but you can't fool God." So, on this Father's Day, 

I give honor my heavenly Father, by acknowledging the words of my earthly father who told me always to place God first in life and all things. Do the Father's Will in all things and the graces will flow abundantly. Amen.

Fatherhood

Our Father, great and mighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, I love you,

Master of the Universe, nothing would exist if not for your Divine Will,
All things that occupy space and time were placed by the hand of Love,

Dad, the man God chose to go forth and multiply, and listened, I love you,
The only person his ten children have the honor of calling Father and Dad,
A man of sacrifice, firmness, ethics, compassion, and faith, we love you,

All Fathers, living and deceased, thank you for your selflessness and love,
Those who sacrificed for their families; working tirelessly out of pure love,
That paved the way for future generations as their fathers before them,

Almighty God and Father, the gift of being a father is an honor and grace,
More than ever, the world needs the grace of fatherhood to flourish anew,
Bless all fathers who tirelessly give all for love to those entrusted by you. Amen.

Two Masters

Jesus said to his disciples: "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon. "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky, they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wildflowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or What are we to wear?' All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for the day is its own evil."

Consideration: Lord Jesus, you know all things. Why should we worry about the things of this world that are all quickly passing and fading away. Give us the grace to stay focused on our final destination; where we will spend all of eternity will you in paradise. Amen.