Our Father's Command

​There was a time not long ago, you reaped what was sown, and the dignity of man
You knew your neighbor, had lifelong friends, built community; made sure to plan
Now, this fast pace always in motion insanity has taken over our lives...will we survive
Every person was a craftsman, proud of their gifts; getting over on another, called sin
Believed in a Creator, and his commands, fell short once in a while, then started again
​Yes, my friends, we have all been on this road before, we were stronger, that's for sure 
Let your joy be alive, always grateful for the gifts, blessings, and the peace of our lives
Put to rest unhappy things, extend gifts you have, strive for humility, cast anger aside 
Before the day is over, the power is in your hands, to live joyfully, with your fellow man 
Be grateful for today, choose to love and never hate, this is our Father's Command!

Father and Son...I AM

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet: he said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those of whom I chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, the one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

Consideration: Jesus once again makes the point as simply as possible: The Father and I are one. When we receive Jesus, we receive the Father, and when we receive the Father we receive the Son...I AM. Amen.

As the Father Told Me

Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak it on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me."

Lord Jesus, may we be blessed with the grace to hear your words and act upon them; and in doing so we are obeying you and pleasing God the Father who gave these words to you to proclaim them to his children. Amen.

The Depths of Our Souls

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. it was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? if you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

Consideration: As we grow in our faith, we encounter many obstacles and question many uncertainties. This is very helpful in our quest for truth. Jesus makes it very clear, once again, that He and the Father are one. To the unbeliever this is not possible and ridiculous, but to the believer it is our faith. We do not believe because we have witnessed signs and wonders, we believe because the voice of the Shepherd has penetrated to the depths of our souls. Amen.

Fire in the Soul

Two sides to every story, people believe what they believe

When it comes down to truth, we ponder with reasoning

We speak of having faith and claim always to be in control 

When it comes to life, truth and faith are the life of the soul

Through the motions of time, we seek our final destination

Choosing different paths to find our way, and find our place

Though we may disagree with the journey others may take

When all is said and done the empty voids will fill with grace 

Left, right, rich and poor; we enter through the same door

In time the old things will pass, never to be seen anymore

Opinions, politicians, ambitions, and positions here below

Two choices, cherish faith, seek truth, the fire in the soul.

The Good Shepherd

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, see a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf comes and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for his sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, and one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father..

Consideration: Jesus says, "I will lay down my life for my sheep." Then he says, "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold." Jesus loves us all and promises that one day there will be one flock, and one shepherd. With all the hate and division in the world today, this will be beautiful time of peace and love. Amen.

My Humble Blog

This humble blog is one of sharing, a gift to those who wish to read it. I do not use the contents of it for profit or gain, though it reaches many from various places. It is only a tool of conversation to expressions of Scripture Passages and Poetry. Never has it been used for evil purposes, only positive.

The content posted does not always appear as it is sent. I have no control over the editing of the final draft before posting. I apologize if it does not appear professional at times. this blog is monitored by the host platform, and they make a decision if the content is suitable for their platform. 

I am a person who works with his hands and enjoys the simple things of life. Faith, family, and friends are most important to me. If one post can help one person, then it's all worth it. Also, I do not receive comments for reasons not known to me. 

God bless all who take the time to read a post. Not sure if this post will be allowed, but if it does, thank you all. Peace!

The Gate for the Sheep

Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is a shepherd of the sheep. The gate keeper opens it for him, and the sheep hears his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

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Lord Jesus, yes, you are the gate. Your sheep hear your voice and follow you. We, your sheep, realize that you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and we follow you because we love you. We do not follow the voices of liars, thieves, and robbers because they lead us on paths of destruction. Even when we stray you come after us until we are found and brought back to the fold. Amen.

The Pathway to Victory

His eyes on you waiting patiently 

Make a move he's charring things

You slip up falling victim of desire

He laughs from his throne of fire

Another battle and you fell short

Be assured he waits at the door

Weaknesses are put to the test

He never sleeps, tires, or rests

Every day is a battle in the war

Fight on, you are made to soar

Be on guard against the plan

The goal is for the fall of man

A line of fire drawn in the sand

This is the time to take a stand

The battles lost made you strong

Be strong, the war is raging on

Every day is a battle in the war

Fight on, you are made to soar 

The test of time though not easy

Battle on the pathway to victory

The Holy One of God

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?" Since Jesus knew his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who don't believe." Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless granted him by my Father." 

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

Flesh and Blood of Jesus

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Lord Jesus, yes, your Flesh is real food, and your Blood is real drink, given for the life of the world. Open our hearts to understand the magnitude of this truth. Through the grace of faith, we believe that we will have life everlasting by partaking in this most holy sacrifice. Amen.

My Flesh

Jesus said to the crowds: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him up on the last day. it is written in the prophets: they shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

Consideration: Jesus makes it clear that he is the living bread; eat this bread and you will live forever. The bread that he gives is his flesh for the life of the world. Amen.

Peace!

It's hard to listen to the news anymore

I'm tired of hearing about conflict and war

When will the hatred and the misery cease

Will we ever find a way to live in peace

We are the people caught up in this mess

How we ended up here is anyone's guess

The powerful tell us there is no other way

I beg to differ, prayer brings about change

People ask why a loving God allows this

From every nation more become statistics

People cry and scream out how many more

Flag covered coffins and the reality of war

One day this madness will come to an end

We will stand face to face in his presence

No more missiles will need to light the sky

No more war; the earth will exist no more. Peace!

On the Last Day

Jesus said to the crowds, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything the Father gives to me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone that comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I shall raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day."

Consideration: Jesus gives us hope, promising not to lose anything that the Father gave to him. He is telling us, no matter how great our sinfulness is, and we repent and seek his mercy, that he will not abandon us. Promising to raise us on the last day. Amen!

True Bread from Heaven

The crowd said to Jesus: "What sign can you do, that we see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat." So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses that gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

So they said to Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

Consideration: The bread Of God comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. Those who come and believes in me will never hunger and will never thirst." Amen.

The Works of God

After Jesus fed five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea. The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there was only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples on the boat, but only his disciples left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place that they had eaten bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."

Consideration: Jesus explains to the crowd that got into boats to look for him, not to work for perishable things. He tells them to work for things that endure for eternal life. When they asked how to accomplish the works of God, Jesus says to them, "Believe in the one God has sent to them." Amen.

With Our King

It's coming soon, almost here, very near

Never before, never again, have no fear

Talked about forever, now it's at the door

Fall upon your knees, it's time to adore

We shall see him as he is in all his glory 

We shall reign forever in his majesty 

No crying, no tears, with joy everlasting 

We shall see, and reign with the King

When you hear that it's all a wild story

We evolved from strange, foolish things

Look at the faces of the people you love

Created in the image of our Lord and King

We shall see him as he is in all his glory 

We shall reign forever in his majesty 

Everlasting joy singing praises of peace

Reigning forever, in eternity, with our King!

The Precious Blood of Christ

Beloved: If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.

He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Consideration: Yes, we were ransomed for our sins. The Precious Blood of Christ was poured out for mankind through Love. Love, not defined by man, but by the Precious Lamb. Before the foundation of the world was the Lamb. Son of the Father, the Great...I AM!

Jesus Walks on Water

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat., and they began to be afraid. Buthe said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid." They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading. 

Lord Jesus, the disciples saw you walking on the water of the sea and were frightened and amazed. I can't even imagine what it will be like when every eye will see you coming on the clouds from Heaven in all of your glory and magnificent splendor. I pray that all will be ready to witness the joyful magnitude of this event that has been foretold and will put an end to all division and hatred for all of eternity. For you will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. Amen!

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw the large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, and gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted." So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets of fragments from the five barley loaves that were more than they could eat. 

Consideration: Jesus, moved with compassion for those who were coming to him. Performs another wonder by feeding five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish. Nothing is impossible for the Son of God. Amen.

Dawn of a New Day

Before the dawn and a blessed new day and darkness gives way to light

A prayer from the heart under the stars and peace is passing the night 

That the newness of light and sunshine will awaken in us to start anew

All that has passed into memory brings the promise of life-giving truth 

A moment to enter into reflection of beginning again and living our role

Wherever life has brought us to this point as we persevere highs and lows 

The day starts as a mystery as we never really know how things will unfold 

We thank you Lord for your blessings and the goodness awaiting to flow 

The time has come for us to lift our human nature and voices to on high

Ask for the strength that we will need as a new day welcomes us to rise 

That you will be with us this day no matter how everything will find its way 

Thank you Lord for the gift of life and this grace filled dawn of a new day. Amen 

Peace on Earth

The cost of fuel, price of food, drums of war beat on

Distressed nations, weigh on us, peace all but gone

Pray for the elderly and children living lives of fear

Will hate cease to be, will we ever cry our last tear

From the beginning sowing seeds of endless discord

That the children of the Creator be slain by the sword

The destruction of evil setting aflame the master plan

Dividing nations, stealing grace in the hearts of man

Do not be silent, boldness of conviction brings to bear

Approaching the end crossroad; this a time of prayer

Many have fallen prey to systems of worldly desires

The wisdom of the ages is endless and never tires 

So do not be consumed with a world in total disarray

We, as children of God, have been given a role to play

Manifest the Kingdom of God as ordained from birth

The Will of the Father, lasting joy, and Peace on earth

The Father and Son are One

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

Consideration: Jesus, who comes from heaven, proclaims that God the Father is trustworthy. He has been given all things by the Father and speaks the words of God. Eternal life has been promised to all who believe in the Son, but the wrath of God remains on those who disobey the Son; for the Father and Son are One.

Believe!

Believe in things we cannot see, a mystery

Faith of a mustard seed, achieve, believe

Moving mountains, parting the seas, believe

One step at a time, the uphill climb, believe

Surrounded by things we cannot change

Twist and turn pressure without brakes

Ups and downs of the rollercoaster of life

Be strong, persevere and stay in the fight

Blessings are waiting to be showered down

Choose the side of the righteous and found

The winding road is filled with many a battle

Glories and victories cause demons to rattle

Live life with trust and the promises of truth

Every encounter was placed there for you

Beyond the moment is never a guarantee

Faith, hope, trust, the mystery of love...Believe!

His only begotten Son

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but the one who does not believe in him has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the only begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but the people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Consideration: God sent his only begotten Son to save the world and not condemn it. But many preferred the darkness of evil, rather than the glory of the Son of God. The wicked hate the light, but those who live in truth love the light, and the Son, from which it comes. Amen.

Born from Above

Jesus said to Nicodemus: "'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus answered and said to him, "How can this happen?" Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak to what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but your people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

Consideration: Nicodemus, a teacher of the Jews seems confused. Jesus, the Son of Man, explains a teaching of his own, telling Nicodemus that if he does not believe in the earthly Jesus told him; how will he be able to comprehend and believe in heavenly things. Do we believe in the words of Jesus, the Son of Man?

Born of the Spirit

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said t him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him." Jesus answered and said to him , "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man once grown old be born again? Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes: so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Consideration: Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, sees what many Jews cannot see. He has come to the realization that Jesus came from God; and admits that no one could do the signs Jesus was doing unless God was with him. But, still not claiming that Jesus is the Son of God.

Divine Mercy

There was a time that I drifted

A time I could do it on my own

Feeling I was special and gifted

The ego of a man out of control

Believing dreams will come true

Out of control... I turned to you

Still drifting, but I was searching

Placed my faith in the good news

I feel alive! I feel so free

I feel your love inside me

I feel alive! I feel so free

This is my day of liberty

Today is the day; Sun is shining

Darkness has fled from the light

This is a time when I'm reminded

That salvation is well within sight

I feel alive! I feel so free

I feel your love inside me

I feel alive! I feel so free

This is my day of liberty

There was a time that I drifted

Walking alone and very weary

In your love I found salvation

This is the day of "Divine Mercy"

Life in His Name

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and in my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Consideration: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son. Do you believe?

"Receive the Holy Spirit"

On the evening of the first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for the fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he said this he showed them his hands and side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send You." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.

Consideration: Jesus is clear and direct to his disciples; telling them that they are now being sent on a mission. Just as the Father sent him on a mission; now it is their turn. He blesses them with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and gives them the authority to forgive, or retain sin. Praise be Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. Amen!

"It is the Lord"

Simon Peter said, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast your net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

Witnesses

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of the bread. 

While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled a terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Do you have anything to eat?" They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

Road to Emmaus

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus. And it happened that while they were conversing, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these last days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how the chief priests and rulers both handed him to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" As they approached the village, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Will we choose Peace

If today, you saw tomorrow, the dreams, and possibilities, or the scenes of the sorrow of all the hate, and misery.

Would you do war? Would you do war? Would you do war? Would you do war? Or...Would you do peace?

We see everything around us falling apart, people of different places at odds, is there time to heal the scars, today.

Would you do war? Would you do war? Would you do war? Would you do war? Or...Would you do peace?

This is the time to fall on your knees, a time for things to heal, a time to choose as one family, to pray for peace.

Will we choose war? Will we choose war? Will we choose war? Will we choose war? Or...Will we choose peace?

My Father and your Father

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one on the head the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Women, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'" Mary went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and then reported what he had told her.
Consideration: Once again, Jesus makes it known that he is risen. He instructs Mary Magdalene to tell his disciples that he is going back to his Father and God, and to our Father and God. His Father is our Father, and his God is our God. Amen!

Do not be Afraid

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful and overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him while they were asleep.' And if it gets in the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

Consideration: Jesus makes the arrangement for his disciples to meet him in Galilee, while the chief priests and elders scheme to cover up that Jesus had risen from the dead; just as he proclaimed he would. Amen, He is Risen!!!

He is Risen

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw, and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. He is risen, Alleluia!!! 

The Passion of Christ

 Alone in the garden to his Father, he prayed

His disciples asleep under the trees where they lay

My Father in heaven, take this cup from me

But not as I will it, let your will be done through me

The soldiers approached his disciples in fear

Peter draws his sword and severs one's ear

Jesus surrenders without a fight

As he's taken away in the dark of the night

As the cock crows, Peter begins to cry 

Told by Jesus, three times he would deny

Convicted and accused of blasphemy

Pilate is pressured and gives a decree

In a courtyard filled with a crowd

They cursed at him so load

Pilate is seated upon his throne

Jesus stands there all alone

A murderer is spared and set free

The carpenters make a cross from a tree

His Flesh was beaten from his bones

He did not scream or even moan

A crown of thorns thrust upon his head

His precious blood dripping, he was almost dead

Pilate washed his hands of the whole affair

Our Lord knew fully, his time was near

So he took up his cross with our sins how it weighed 

Each step he took to his Father he prayed

Falling three times he suffered in pain

Please, my Father in Heaven, let this not be in vain

On the cross he was thrown, his eyes looked up to heaven

He felt so alone with this cross he was given

Nailed and lifted his eyes looked down

For his garments dice rolled across the ground

His mother's heartbroken with tears in her eyes

The dark clouds gathered above in the sky

Forgive them Father for they know not what they do

His head fell limp and his mission was through

Lightning, thunder, and rain from the sky

There was no doubt now for our sins he had died

God the Father's love is so great for everyone

That He gave us Himself as He gave us His Son

Amen! God's Servant 

Anthony Raymond