"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.

At the Cross

There are no roses at the cross; no smiles only tears

There are no roses at the cross; sweet Jesus is there

No roses sweet Jesus: there are no smiles only tears

No roses sweet Jesus: at the cross...my Jesus is there

It's so hard, to carry this heavy load; so hard, to do it on my own

Burden of sin, so overwhelming; how do I start, where do I begin

My Jesus, my Jesus, help me, help me, please

My Jesus, my Jesus, from this sin and misery

My Jesus, my Jesus, help me, help me, please

My Jesus, I know you are there...rescue me!

No roses at the cross; I know your mercy is there

No roses at the cross; only grace to have no fear

It's so hard, to carry this heavy load; so hard, to do it on my own

Burden of sin, so overwhelming; how do I start, where do I begin

My Jesus, my Jesus, there is hope at the cross

My Jesus, my Jesus, there is mercy for the lost

My Jesus, my Jesus, I'm down upon my knees

My sweet Jesus I believe...you can set me free!

Praise the name of Jesus for the crosses we bear

Praise the name of Jesus for weakness and despair

Praise the name of Jesus for the shedding of tears

Praise the name of Jesus at the cross...he is there!

Pay Attention

While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Consideration: The disciples believed in Jesus, but they did not understand all things because it was hidden from them. They could not comprehend the magnitude of what was to soon take place. Jesus allowed things to be revealed before them a piece at a time so they would clearly see the truth when the time arrived.  

Over two thousand years later, we have seen the story revealed to us through the Gospel. We have the grace of wisdom because it has been given to us. The time is at hand for us to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus, with love. Many still do not understand the truth. People are caught up in the world and all of its vices and webs of destruction. If we spend the time to help others to understand, the Holy Spirit will infuse their hearts with truth; the truth will set them free. Amen.

"Love"

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for everything under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to morn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What advantage has the worker from his toil? I have considered the task that God has appointed that the sons of men to be busied about. He has made everything appropriate for its time and has put the timeless into their hearts, without man's ever discovering, from the beginning to end, the work which God has done. 

Consideration: There is an appointed time for everything as described in reading from Ecclesiastes. With all the difficulties that daily life may send our way, this is a great time to reflect on what time it is in our own personal lives. We as individuals cannot control the big picture of worldly circumstances, but we can control the life we have been blessed with in most cases. Today, the Lord is speaking to us through this reading. Together, let us pray for one another, let us pray for peace; our families, friends, and those who are sick and have needs; the leaders of nations; and our spiritual leaders. Most of all, let us pray to our God for the blessing of "Love." Only with "Love," can we as people of God carry out the mission that He has prepared for all of His children. Amen.