Proclaim Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. 

Consideration: Saint Paul tells the Corinthian people his gift of speech and testimony was to proclaim Jesus Christ, and him crucified; proclaiming that their faith was through the power of God. Amen.

Eternity!

 

Fires raging out of control, mass destruction tornados, reservoirs dangerously low, no one seems to care.

Earthquake death tolls, tidal wave destructive blows, flash flood catastrophes, nature's force is on a tear. 

 

Wars are raging around the world, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and so it goes.

Sons and daughters with families, of all nationalities, many become casualties; so it goes the oil flows.

 

The mighty forces rage, nothing stays the same, in a blink of an eye everything can change, so quickly.

The power of storms, the pain rages on, tears and fears never ending, the Imagery of disaster, sickening.

 

When will an era of peace find its way to us; when will the poison of hell on earth run its course...when?

Freedom from the natural order; freedom from the world order; freedom from all powers that be...Eternity!  

His Father's Glory

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders., the chief priests, the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct."

Consideration: Peter is rebuked by Jesus for his lack of faith, trust, and understanding. Then he speaks to us about self-denial and sacrifice as a reward for eternal life. This statement is truth; if we wish to spend eternity with our Lord, we need to heed his direction to us. Amen.

God chose the weak of the World

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

Consideration: Saint Paul tells us that we do not need to be held in high esteem by worldly standards. The Lord calls those who are poor, weak, foolish, and despised of the world to bring the powerful and wise to their knees. God brings forth from the hearts of the humble the ability to transform the hearts of the noble, wise, and powerful; with love. Amen.

Refrain from Immorality

Brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God - and as you are conducting yourselves - you do even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. This is the will of God, your holiness; that you refrain from immorality, that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself in holiness and honor, not lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; not to take advantage of or exploit a brother or sister in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all of these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed. For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being, but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Consideration: This powerful reading from Saint Paul is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. The message is clear: refrain from immorality. Vice is a cross that all of mankind has to deal with. We have two choices; to give into our lustful passions that are offensive to God; or to refrain from them. The Lord told us that unless we are willing to take up our crosses on a daily basis; we are not worthy of him. It is up to us to choose...refrain from sin and please him; or give to in to sin. Pray always for the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us always. Amen.

Stay Awake

Jesus said to his disciples: Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of the night that the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? Blessed is the servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all of his property. But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is long delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, the servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."

Consideration: The Lord, Jesus, is giving us warning to be on guard always while waiting for his arrival. We must be prudent in continuing doing the will of God. To give to our Father the honor he deserves from his children, is to conduct our lives with integrity; always being fair and honest with others. Treat everyone with love and compassion; knowing that when the Lord returns, he will be truly pleased with us. Amen.

Hypocrisy and Evildoing

Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but the inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, 'if we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in the shedding of the prophets' blood.' Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!"

Consideration: Once again, Jesus, calls out the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He equates them to whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but the inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth.

Lord, Jesus, grant us the grace of realism, that we may conduct our lives with honesty and integrity. Let the light within our hearts be a visible sign to those in our families, and the people we encounter on a daily basis; never to live as the hypocrites in our midst. Amen.

Blind Guides

Jesus said: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay with tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgement and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of cup, so that the outside also may be clean."

Consideration: We are not to act as the hypocrites in our midst. If we wish to shine with joy and happiness on the exterior, we must be cleansed on the interior as well. When the body, mind, heart, and soul are healthy; the outward appearance will be radiant. Maybe those with this tendency of hypocrisy will see the joy that we possess and seek to unite it into their daily lives as well. Amen.

You Hypocrites

Jesus said to the crowds and to the disciples: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens to you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'if one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.' Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred? And you say, 'if one swears by the alter, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the alter, one is obligated.' You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the alter that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it." 

Consideration: No person on earth called out hypocrisy like Jesus did. This is one of the main reasons that falsehoods are allowed to simmer; and, in time, burst into flames to cause much damage.

Lord, Jesus, we praise you and give you thanks for teaching us that we must call out unrighteousness, lies, and falsehoods of all kinds, immediately, and with conviction, before it has time to cause untold damage and corruption. We pray for the courage to follow your lead always no matter how difficult it is. Amen.

To Him Be Glory Forever

Oh, the depth of riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his Judgements and unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? From him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Consideration: Who is like God? Take a deep breath; and place yourself in His presence. The heavens; the earth, the cosmos; humanity; wisdom; life; love; mercy...Who is like God!!!

The Chair of Moses

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 things they 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 the 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. Whosoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Consideration: Jesus is very clear to his disciples regarding the pride and hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He tells his disciples that they are brothers, and he, the Christ, is their master. He tells them to stay humble, and to serve others with sincerity, without seeking praise for their actions.

These guidelines apply to us today; serve others with kindness, compassion, and love. In doing so with humility, we continue the works of the disciples here on earth, for the glory of God. Amen.

The Greatest Commandment

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Consideration: Not only do the prophets depend on these two commandments, but all of mankind as well. We see that the world we live in is conflict with everything contained in these two commandments. If only we could find a way to exist together in peace; put aside the pride within us, and with humility, love as the Lord loves us. All things are possible for those who love God. If we loved God, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we could move mountains; and certainly, we could love our neighbor and bring peace to a peaceless world. Amen.

The Gift of the Father

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does noy know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."

Consideration: Jesus' prayer to the Father, describes not only his love and relationship with his disciples, but, for us as well. By our faith believing in Jesus, we believe in his Father as well; glorifying God the Father, through our love for, and relationship with the Son. Jesus tells the Father that his disciples are a gift from him; and we too are a gift from the Father as well. Blessed are we, who place our hope and trust in the Lord. Amen.

The Last First and the Fist Last

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, "You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here Idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us,' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give the last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Inherit Eternal Life

Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen I say to you, it will be hard for one that is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier to for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For men this is Impossible, but for God all things are possible." Then Peter said to him in reply, "We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

Consideration: There are many who possess much, and yet are empty and void of peace within. The disciples, after spending much time with Jesus, came to believe in him and the truth he conveyed to all he came in contact with.

Do we possess the faith of the disciples? We live in a time where knowledge is at our fingertips; words of truth and falsehoods are heard with our ears; and we have the ability to see good and evil displayed before our eyes. We are at a crossroad in time; and it's now clear for us to choose sides. Jesus said, "I Am the Way; the Truth; and the Life." I pray that we, as one, will decide for Christ! Amen.

Enter into Life

A young man approached Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." He asked him, "Which ones?" And Jesus replied, "You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; your shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "if you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Consideration: Jesus tells the young man if he wished to enter into life, keep the commandments. When we are called, there are only two destinations; life or death. Only by the God's grace will we enter into life; that time will be for God to decide. We have been given a clear direction; it is for us to choose; the everlasting joy of Heaven; or to dwell forever in the wasteland of the damned. Amen.

Have pity on me Lord

At that time, Jesus withdrew to region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "it is not right to take the food of children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

Consideration: Jesus tells the woman that her faith is great; then he grants her request that the demon that tormented her daughter would be gone from her. 

Jesus tells us to ask and will shall receive; but we must ask with faith that request will be granted. We must always approach our Lord, with a contrite heart and a faithful spirit. Knowing that our Lord always hears and answers the prayers of his loving children. And if it pleases the Lord, he will grant our request in the way that it gives glory and honor to him and in a way that is best for the salvation of his children as well. Amen.

Let the Children come to Me

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Lord, Jesus, fill us with the grace of understanding and humility, that we who long for the Kingdom of heaven in our hearts, will indeed come to you with the hearts of children; when the human heart is at its purist form. Amen.

Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

St. Maximilian (1894-1941) became a Franciscan and devoted his life to fostering devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a priest, publisher, and founder of the "City of the Immaculate." Sentenced to hard manual labor at the death camp in Auschwitz, he offered his life in exchange for that of a family man. He is remembered for his prophetic words, "Hatred is not a creative force. Only love is a creative power."  

Consideration: This holy man offered up his own life that another man would live. There is no greater love than this act of total surrender, that he gave his life voluntarily for another man who had a wife and children. Amen!

Seventy-Seven 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." 

Consideration: This scripture passage is powerful. We have all been offended by others in one way or another. Jesus is clear when he tells Peter, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." Remember, we have also offended others as well; and we are in need of forgiveness. 

In this troubled and unperfect world, there is plenty of pain and difficulty. Forgiveness is the key to unlock the freedom of peace that every heart longs for. In the end, it will be the mercy of our Lord, Jesus, that will free us from the darkness of this life; to the freedom of the light when we enter into his light. Amen.

Prayer in the name of Jesus

Jesus said to his disciples: "if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses even to listen to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."

Consideration: Jesus speaks to disciples about forgiveness, and community prayer. The power of praying together as a group reaches the heavenly Father; promising to grant our request.

Amazing Peace

 

The days there are no clouds in the sky, and the sunshine is magnificent and bright; not one ripple on the lake; the seashore takes your breath away.

The air is clean, crisp and fresh; the river flows with tenderness; the wind is calm, resting for a time; you realize how wonderful, and beautiful, is life.

Just for a time, it all goes away; mother nature in all its splendor on display; everything seems right; there is peace and quiet; birds in playful delight. 

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of the day; magnificent in every way; this is how it was meant to be; today, your blessings glorify all things. 

In this moment, heaven is very near; everything perfectly clear; in an instant everything can change; that’s OK; now, and forever, we give you praise…thank you Lord, for another day of life; and this amazing peace!

Greatest in the Kingdom

The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me." "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go search for the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than the ninety-nine that did not go astray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost."

Consideration: To be childlike is truly a grace. The adult life brings many challenges and difficulties. Prayer is the way to maintain a close relationship with the Lord. When you talk with humility, you love; and when you love, you maintain the childlike qualities that are required to enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Amen.

The Hand of a Fisherman

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were overwhelmed with grief. When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes," he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?" When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you." 

Consideration: Jesus is told by Simon that it was the foreigners who were to pay the census tax. So, Jesus, not wanting to offend the tax collectors, tells Simon where he would find the coin to satisfy the sum for Simon and himself. Of all places, in the mouth of a fish; to the hand of a fisherman.

Glory, Honor, and Praise!

Awesomeness of the Father; Glory of His Son; fullness of the Spirit of Life; the Triune God is One.

 

Majesty, honor and praise; blessed be Thy Holy Name; all that is and will forever be; for all of eternity. 

When time is no more; your children are home; the last tear has been cried; infused with your love.

 

Thy will be done; Thy Kingdom come; together in Paradise...Glory of Peace!

The voices of Angels; ageless melodies; glory, honor, and praise; joyous things fulfilled and revealed.

Divine exaltation; all things will and forever be; as was intended…Glory and Peace!

Awesomeness of the Father; Glory of His Son; fullness of the Spirit of Life; the Triune God is One.

 

Majesty, honor and praise; blessed be Thy Holy Name; all that is and will forever be…Glory and Peace!

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the Triune God is One; awesomeness of Paradise...Glory, Honor, and Peace!!!

I Search My Soul

 

 The many roads I’ve traveled,

Days and nights thinking of you,

My restless mind was unsettled,

From the pain I put you through,

 There’s one thing I want you to know,

There’s a feeling deep inside me,

That keeps me from losing control,

When I’m down on bended knees,

 I search my soul for answers,

When questions fill up my heart,

Away from all life’s romancers,

That’ve caused us to drift apart,

 At times I need to gather my senses,

To live out the truth inside of me,

Cast away all my defenses,

So I’ll be free, with eyes to see,

 I search my soul for answers,

Looking deep within my heart,

Away from all life’s romancers,

Nothing could ever keep us apart,

 I search my soul and find you,

From selfish ambitions I’m set free,

 Nothing is impossible to get through,

With you in my soul… am I… truly free!

Walking on the Sea

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

Consideration: When the storms of life cast us to and fro, do we panic, lose faith and trust in the Lord? Or do we call upon the name of the Lord, to come to our aid and assist us in our time of need? The Lord is the true Shepherd; never will he abandon us when we are in need or have lost our way. Amen.

A Mustard Seed

A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said, "Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him." Jesus said in reply, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me." Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Consideration: Jesus explains to his disciples that their lack faith prohibited them from healing a severely ill boy. 

Do we possess the faith the size of a mustard seed? When we are confronted with a situation that will require us to put our trust totally with the Lord; will we have the faith to do so? 

Lord Jesus, we pray that you will bless us beyond the earthly limitations that bind our faith and trust. That even with our limited faith, the size of a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for us to achieve. Amen.

Coming in His Kingdom

Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and to forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and there he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."

Consideration: This remarkable scripture passage is one of great hope and trust in the Lord. Jesus tells his disciples that there were some among him that would not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom. It takes deep faith to enter into what Jesus is telling his disciples. Will some be given to the grace to fall asleep in Jesus, and awake to see his glory without experiencing death? Will we also be given this grace as well? We shall see! Amen.

I Will Forgive Their Evildoing

The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers: the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the Lord. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:31-34

The Remnant of Israel

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

Vessels to Truth

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

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

The Love of God in Christ Jesus

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

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

Five Loaves and Two Fish

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

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

Post Editing

 

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

Anthony 

John the Baptist

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

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