The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he grew up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord."
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
Consideration: Jesus makes a very clear statement by reading this scripture passage. The Lord God sent him on a clear mission; and he has fulfilled what the Father sent him to accomplish.

Believe in Miracles

Believe in miracles 

That dreams come true 

Through adversity 

Mountains will move 

Believe in miracles 

A spark ignites the flame 

Then the fire of truth 

Burns passion inside you

All things are possible to achieve

Persevere though and believe

Impossible roads become wider

Never surrender, be a fighter 

Believe in miracles

Faith is the light within you

Trust is the key that frees

Answers found on your knees

God is the only way to peace

His love is the only remedy

His mercy is for all of eternity

Miracles of His blessings...Believe!!!

Thirty Pieces of Silver

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to such a one, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ”And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Is it I, Master?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

The Son of Man Glorified

When Judas had left, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, 'Where I go you cannot come,' so now I say it to you." 
Simon Peter said to him, "Master, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later." Peter said to him, "Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times."

Jesus Betrayed

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was greatly troubled and testified, "Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus' side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back on Jesus' chest and said to him, "Master, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it." So he took the morse and dipped it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

The Crucifixion is Near

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, "Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days wages and the money given to the poor?" He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used it to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." 

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

Consideration: A dinner for Jesus at the home of Lazarus; Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with oil and drying them with her hair; Judas complaining about wasting the costly perfume and saying it should have been sold instead; Jesus tells Mary to keep the oil for the day of his burial; and a plot to kill Lazarus and Jesus because many of the Jews believed in Jesus. The day of the crucifixion was drawing near.

Son of Man

At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled."

Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Caiaphas asked, "I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him in reply, "You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see 'the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power' and 'coming on the clouds of heaven.'"

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?" They said in reply, "He deserves to die!"

​

Lord Jesus, Yes, they will see the "Son of Man" seated at the right hand of "Power" and coming on the clouds of heaven. Amen.

Queen of Hearts and Mother of All

Her eyes on everything, hands on it all

Vessel to her son, mother's loving call

Chasing passions and earthly dreams

The world a mess, tearing at the seams

Despair surrounds in every direction 

She is in the middle for our protection

Tensions rising, fear is taking its toll

Our Lady, defender of heart and soul 

Amidst the nations fighting to survive

The Queen of Peace; tears in her eyes

She sees the end of the war and hate

The woman has come to ease the pain

Life is passing quickly to a new season

End all the madness seek out healing

She sees everything, so heed her call

The Queen of Hearts, the Mother of all

The Works of Jesus

Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, "What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation." But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish." He did not say this on his own, but since he was the high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him.

​Consideration: The Works of Jesus had become a major concern for the high priest. They reasoned that it was better for Jesus to die than for the entire nation to perish.

Blasphemy

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?" The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God." Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods" '? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." Then they tried to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.

He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, "John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true." And many there began to believe in him. 

Lord Jesus, the Jews continue to ridicule you, accusing you of blasphemy. They refuse to listen to your words saying that the Father and Son are one. But many said that John's words were true; and began to believe.

From the Heavens

Through the eyes of the Creator, I wonder what he sees

In the beginning it was all good, it was very good indeed 

The earth pristine and full of bounty, a woman and a man

It was good, so very good, the created works of his hands

Looking down on the earth and seeing the demise of souls

Now the nations are divided, and humanity is taking a toll

Truth overcomes in the end, and all will see with their eyes

Everything transformed anew here below and, in the skies,

We need to find a way to exist in peace in our given land

Only then can we extend and reach out to our fellow man

The time is now to take control and heal the senselessness

Only with humility will we see our way through this mess

Today is the day to make a move, tomorrow may be too late

We are in this together if we are to heal and seal our fate 

Through the eyes of the Creator, I wonder what he sees

Watching us from the Heavens; with us I pray he is pleased

The Great, "I AM"

Jesus said to the Jews: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." So the Jews said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.' Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

Consideration: Jesus proclaims, whoever keeps his word will never see death. The Jews called him possessed. Jesus tells them: "Before Abraham came to be, I AM." Yes, Jesus, glorified by the Father, is...The Great, "I AM."

God the Father

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are the descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you of what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father." They answered and said to him, "Our Father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, a man that has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!" So they said to him, "We have one Father, God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me." 

Lord Jesus, you tried to explain to the Jews that the Father sent you and has told you many things. But, they keep saying that they are the descendants of Abraham, and God is their Father. They do not understand that you are the Son of the Father and are truly One. Help us, Lord, to possess the true faith that speaks to hearts through your words. Amen.

"I AM"

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come." So the Jews said, "He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, 'Where I am going you cannot come?" He said to them, "You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins." So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say to you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world." They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, But I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him." Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

Consideration: "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM." Remember, the sun covered the clouds and the darkness swallowed up the light. Then, at the moment he offered up his soul to the Father, a massive earthquake rattled the land. "The Son of Man...The Great I AM!!!"

"Do not Sin"

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again, he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore."

Lord Jesus, the act of this woman was a grave sin, and yet, you defended her. Confronting her accusers by simply pointing out to them their transgressions as well. We too have sinned and fallen from grace. Thank you for showing mercy to this woman, and we pray as well that in your loving compassion, that you will extend your mercy to every sinner that calls upon your holy name. Amen.

"The Glory of God Revealed"

Jesus became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Sir, come and see." And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him." But some of them said. "Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so this man would not have died?" So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay across it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, said, "Lord by now there will be a stench; He has been dead for four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me." And when he said this, he cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go." Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what he had done began to believe in him. 

Consideration: "Lazarus, come out!" And behold..."The Glory of God Revealed"

The Glory of God / Part 1

The sisters of Lazarus sent a word to Jesus, saying, "Master the one you love is ill." When Jesus heard this he said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. So that when he heard that he was ill, he remained two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know whatever you ask of God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise," Martha said, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

Consideration: Jesus declares his love for, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. He proclaims that Lazarus will rise again, and that everyone who dies, or lives, and believes in him, will never die.

"This is the Christ"

Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But others said, "The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." So the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him." But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed." Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee," Then each went to his own house.

Consideration: The Guards: "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." Nicodemus: "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" The Crowd: "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." Amen.

Jesus Affirms

Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, "Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from." So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, "You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.

Consideration: Jesus affirms who he is and who sent him. For this reason, the Jews wanted to kill him. But his hour had not yet come, so they did not lay a hand on him.

They do not Believe

Jesus said to the Jews: "The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who has sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from only God? Do you think that I will accurse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"

Consideration: Jesus tells the Jews that the works he performs testifies on his behalf that the Father has sent him. Yet, the Jews do not accept that he was sent by the Father. They search the Scriptures, believing eternal life is found through them. But they refuse to accept Jesus as the Son of the Father and refuse his words of eternal life. Even Moses wrote about him in his writings; yet they do not believe.

A New Beginning

Air raid warnings sound across the land, people scatter for shelter

Precision munitions, loss of life in the ancient land, people in fear

Many say this is the beginning of the end, Bible quotes tell us so

It may or may not be, this hell and misery, but God only knows

A mastermind conceived an evil plan, destruction through division

God's creation of man must be destroyed, and the earth we live in

Angel of Light to demon of darkness, cast from the heavenly realm

To the fiery pit for he and his minions, the pain and agony of hell 

The signs of the times seem to be as predicted are all around us

As heaven and earth are crying out with misery, groans and pains

People of God's light are persevering through all of this madness

Faith, hope, and trust will lead us through just as those before us

Be not afraid, the words that have stood the persecutions of time

God did not create us to destroy us, but to grant us eternal life

Though the bombs may fall and destruction at a glance winning

God will lead us to a springtime of eternity and a new beginning

Love of the Father for the Son

Jesus answered the Jews: "My Father is at work until now, so I am at work." For this reason, they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath, but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. Jesus answered and said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing, for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that he may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.

"I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgement is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me."

Rise

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your mat, and walk." Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.

Lord Jesus, compassionate and merciful, once again you heal a sick man. May this serve us as a lesson, never to give up on things that seem impossible. For nothing is impossible for you. Amen.

The Faith of a Mustard Seed

At that time Jesus left Samaria for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." The royal official said to him, "Sir, come down before my son dies." Jesus said to him, "You may go; your son will live." The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he started to recover. They told him, "The fever left him yesterday about one in the afternoon." The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live," and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea. 

Lord Jesus, the royal official believed with all of his heart that you would heal his son. You knew that this man was truly sincere, so you granted his request. May we be blessed with the faith of a mustard seed, so that we too, will be able with your grace to move mountains. Amen.

"I Do Believe"

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, "Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" - which means Sent. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. 

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is," but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am." 

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on the sabbath. So the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a sinful man do such signs?" And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." 

They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he." He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshipped him.

Consideration: "I do believe." Said the blind man, healed by Jesus, as he worshiped him.

Do we possess the faith of this man? We who are blind to the many faults and transgressions we have committed. Have the words of our Lord been enough to open our eyes to the truth? That we may also say with humility and confidence, "Yes, Lord, I do believe."

Humility

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not the rest of humanity-greedy, dishonest, adulterous-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for the one who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

​Lord Jesus, it is only through humility that we will find our way to your heart; and finding our way there, your grace will guide us to seek out forgiveness for our sinfulness, with humility. Amen.

Loving God First

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all of your heart, with all of your understanding, with all of your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Consideration: Love your neighbor as yourself. Easier said than done. By loving those who have hurt or wronged us in any way, we are loving God first by living out his commandments.

Minions of Darkness

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons." Others, to test him, asked for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and the house will fall against the house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drove out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

Consideration: If we, the children of God, heed the words of Jesus, then we will become one with him, and live in his truth. Being united, and not divided, the demons of falsehoods will have no grip on us. May we always place our trust in the Lord, never falling prey to the physical and verbal attacks of the minions of darkness.

The Law of the Prophets

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law of the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

​Lord Jesus, grant us the grace of perseverance so that we will boldly proclaim the truth of your laws with conviction. Amen.

Seventy Times

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of God may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and all of his property, in payment for the debt. At this the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and forgave the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had him put into prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in his anger he handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart." 

Lord Jesus, bless us with a forgiving heart. From your Most Sacred Heart upon the cross, you forgave the thief that asked for mercy, saying, "This day you shall be with me in Paradise." So too we must forgive our brother. not seven times, but seventy-times. Amen.

Perfectly

With your hands, you created the earth and the sky, and the heavens above vast and wide, the moon and the sun shining bright, with your hands…perfectly!

With your hands, you molded the land and the sea, and the mountains, rivers, and streams, the trees, the valleys, rain and snow, with your hands…perfectly!

You are the Creator of all that has ever came to be; there is no other than your majesty, everything there is, and will ever be, created with your hands…perfectly!

Father, in heaven, great is your name, I Am 
Father, majestic Deity, of all eternity, and truth
Father, power and dominion over all things 
Creation came to be, with your hands…perfectly!

Father, transform all things anew, with your hands…perfectly! Amen.

Angered by Truth

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: Amen I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

​Consideration: Words of truth, spoken by Jesus, pierce the hearts of those in the synagogue at Nazareth. They were so angry and filled with fury that they sought to do him harm. 

This is also true today. Just speaking the name of Jesus causes irritation to those who oppose him and his teachings. We must remain faithful to the truth and to the Gospel, even if we are ridiculed or confronted by those who are angered by the truth. Amen.

Death Upon a Cross

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So He spoke this parable to them, saying: "What man, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost! "I say to you likewise, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Lord Jesus, this parable is so beautiful, and full of hope. It is the foundation of the Church, the Body of Christ. We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. We have hope knowing that you will go to any means, to find us when we are lost; and you rejoice when we are found and repent of our sinfulness. Yes, Lord Jesus, you will go to any means, even to death upon a cross. Amen.

Souls on Fire

We will meet again one day 

Every tear passed away

When time will be no more 

To share love evermore 

Sunshine gives way to night

The softness of moonlight 

Countless stars in full array 

With open arms heaven waits

God's glory is our light

Souls on fire burning bright 

End to hatred and war

This the promise of the Lord

Until the day we journey on

Faith is melody and song

Forward in joyful jubilation

To the final destination

Truth waits on the other side

Rejoice into eternal life

It is everything we desire

Uniting forever souls on fire

The Corner Stone

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times. "Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the corner stone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce fruit." When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

Heed the Need

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill off the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus was at his side. And he cried out, "Father Abraham, have pity on me."

Consideration: Jesus sends a clear message to the Pharisees who were known to be treated with honor and dine in the finest places. Many of the poorest among us will inherit the Kingdom of God; and many who are wealthy and eat the finest foods, drink the finest wines, and dress in the most extravagant garments may not be found there. "I was hungry and you gave me no food; and I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink." 

We have all heard these amazing words; it may serve us well to heed them. Peace!

Mocked and Scourged and Crucified

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took his twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

Lord Jesus, this is the first time that you told your disciples about what was to soon take place. They probably did not understand the gravity of what you told them. Did they realize you were describing the passion that you would soon enter into? 

There are many things, to this day, that we cannot explain and have difficulty believing. Grant us the grace to have the faith to believe your words of truth even if we do not fully understand the message. Amen.

The Humble of Heart

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all the things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation "Rabbi.' As for you do not be called "Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father, you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Lord Jesus, yes you are the one Teacher. Speaking to the crowds and your disciples with wisdom far beyond any man. We view people from the exterior, but only you see into the heart of a man. Also, you point out to them that only through humility will people gain respect and trust in them; because the humble of heart recognize their own. Amen.

The Words of Jesus

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be merciful just as your heavenly Father is merciful. "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. "Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in turn be measured out to you."

Consideration: Is it proper to seek mercy when we do not extend mercy to others? When we judge and condemn others, even if they have wronged us, will we be forgiven when we seek forgiveness? The words of Jesus are clear: "The measure with which you measure will in turn be measured out to you."

Trust in the Lord

Lord, it's time to roll, there's a time for peace, a time for war

For a long time, lines have been drawn on land; and the sand

Only two sides, yet the conflict is wide, we grieve, loss of life

Missiles flying, smoke filled air, people dying, does anyone care

The world running on fear; people crying to heaven with prayer 

Lord, you see everything, in pain and suffering you are there

In the end, there will be victory; oppressed people will be freed

Those who longed for thousands of years, just to live in peace

Lord, it's time to roll, good and bad alike, both possess a soul 

Some filled with grace, others with hate, fire burns both ways

Missiles flying, smoke fills the air, people dying, you are there

These are the signs of the times, the world crying out with fear

Only two sides, yet the conflict is wide, possibilities are near 

Lord, you see everything, in pain and suffering you are there

Signs of the times, for victory and peace, an end game to war

It's time to roll, freedom bleeding out prayer; trust in the Lord

This is My Beloved Son

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice and said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." 

Lord Jesus, one day we shall see you in all your magnificent splendor and glory. The choice is ours; choosing to do your will on our earthly pilgrimage; encountering many difficulties with faith and trust in you. Grant us the grace of strength and perseverance, that when we are called home, we will be called children of the Light. Amen.

The Children of God

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and good, and causes rain to fall on the just and unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brother and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Lord Jesus, you ask us to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. God allows his sun to rise on the bad and the good, and the rain to fall on the just and unjust. So we are asked to love all people, the good and the bad as well. By doing this, we are truly living our lives as...The Children of God, Amen.

Forgive Others

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you unless your righteousness surpasses those of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, you shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgement. But I say to you, whoever grows angry with his brother will be liable to judgement, and whoever insults his brother, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the alter, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the alter, go first be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise, your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

Consideration: The message in this Scripture passage is very clear. Jesus is telling us that foolish anger and judgement of others in the slightest way will lead us to accountability. We must forgive others at all costs. If we fail to do so, we are liable to judgement.

Manifest Your Love

Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given you; 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 to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law of the prophets."

Lord Jesus, we ask with humility; seek with confidence; and knock with faith. We believe that you are waiting for us to ask, so your love will manifest itself to all of your children. Amen.

The Lord of Eternity

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgement the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgement the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here."

Lord Jesus, this generation of our time, is truly an evil generation. It seeks signs and wonders that feed its earthly desires and are contrary to the Gospel. So you give them up to the desires of the flesh that will ultimately consume them. You alone have the words of everlasting life, but they serve the ruler of this world and not the Lord of eternity. Amen.