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Sunday, April 6, 2008:   (THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER) Readings for today: Acts 2:14, 22-33 / 1 Peter 1:17-21 / Luke 24:13-35

Reading I - Acts 2:14, 22-23

14
5 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
22
You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
23
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
24
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
25
For David says of him: 'I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
26
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,
27
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
28
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
29
My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day.
30
But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
31
he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption.
32
God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.
33
Exalted at the right hand of God, 6 he received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you (both) see and hear.

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.

I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.

You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.

 

Reading II - 1 Peter 1:17-21

17
Now 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,
18
realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold
19
but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. 9
20
He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you,
21
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.

 

Gospel - Luke 24:13-35

13
5 6 Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
14
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
15
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
16
7 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
17
He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast.
18
One of them, named 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 days?"
19
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,
20
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.
21
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.
22
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning
23
and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.
24
Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see."
25
And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
26
Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer 8 these things and enter into his glory?"
27
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.
28
As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
29
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.
30
And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.
31
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.
32
Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?"
33
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them
34
who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"
35
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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I think the important thing to take from the readings and Gospel today is that Jesus is alive, still, even today.  Do we ever consider the possibility that Jesus may have interacted with us without us ever knowing?  Almighty God raised him from the dead and he will never die again. 

Therefore, since Jesus is alive, and has interacted with his disciples even after his death and resurrection (without them realizing it was him until he said a blessing over the food and broke the bread), is it not possible that Jesus might do the same with us, without our ever recognizing him? 

With that thought, treat everyone as if they were Jesus, with reverence, respect, and an open heart and mind.

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[[[[[From the SFDS Bulletin:

STEWARDSHIP IS WHAT I DO AFTER I SAY: "I BELIEVE."

"The disciples on the road to Emmaus walked and talked with Jesus all day long, but it was not until they offered Him hospitality and He blessed and broke the bread that they recognized Him.  Simple acts of loving kindness still reveal the presence of God in our midst."

Weekly Reflections- "In a time when our country is so passionately divided that people are prone to dismissing the views of others as ignorant or even evil, the disciples journey to Emmaus may have a message fro us today.  When the 'stranger' joins them they are appalled that he does not know what has been going on but they do not turn away from him.  They explain their views of recent events and, perhaps more importantly, they listen to what the stranger has to say.  Because of their openness, they see things in a new light.  How open are you to listening to the views of others and considering their opinions?  Can you step back from rhetoric that makes objective discussion impossible?  Are you willing to take a look at the facts or do you just rely on your feelings?"]]]]]

-----------------

Don't like reading the Bible?  Try reading the Lego Bible (with Lego characters depicting the scriptures).  It's a fun way to learn.  As my friend (who sent me this link) put it, "The world's largest, most comprehensive illustrated Bible"

http://www.thebricktestament.com/

Here's what their home page looks like:


The world's largest, most comprehensive illustrated Bible.
 

Genesis
Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, The Flood, Sodom & Gomorrah...
37 stories with 568 illustrations
Exodus
Burning Bush, Plague of Frogs, Ten Commandments, The Golden Calf...
31 stories with 431 illustrations
Wilderness
The Fire of Yahweh, Moses and Aaron Doomed, God Sends Snakes...
25 stories with 271 illustrations
The Law
Settling Disputes, Sexual Discharges, Homosexuality, Prisoners of War...
33 stories with 227 illustrations
Joshua
Crossing of the Jordan, Massacre of Jericho, Twenty-Two Kingdons Massacred...
14 stories with 185 illustrations
Judges
Jerusalem Massacred, 120,000 Midianites Killed, Samson and Delilah...
39 stories with 435 illustrations
King Saul
Philistines Capture the Ark, Saul Becomes King, David Decapitates Goliath...
26 stories with 288 illustrations
 
David vs Saul
Saul Tries to Kill David, Jonathan and David, David Joins the Philistines...
33 stories with 318 illustrations
King David
David Conquers the Blind and Lame, God Kills Man for Touching Ark...
34 stories with 345 illustrations
The Life of Jesus
Jesus is Born, Jesus Walks on Water,
The Last Supper, The Crucifixion...
31 stories with 397 illustrations
The Teachings of Jesus
On Love, On Forgiveness, On Wealth, On Lust, On Divorce...
18 stories with 103 illustrations
The Parables of Jesus
Parable of the Harsh Master, Parable
of the Tortured Debtor...
5 stories with 74 illustrations
Acts of the Apostles
The Other Fate of Judas, Instant Fluency, Stephen Gets Stoned...
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The Epistles
Intructions on Marriage, Instructions for Slaves, Instructions for Women...
3 stories with 28 illustrations

350 stories with 3,827 illustrations. More to come...


 
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= nudity  = sexual content  = violence   = cursing

 
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Sunday, March 30, 2008:   (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY) Readings for today:  Acts 2:42-47 / 1 Peter 1:3-9 / John 20:19-31

Reading I - Acts 2:42-47

42
8 They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.
43
Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44
All who believed were together and had all things in common;
45
they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need.
46
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
47
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

R. (1) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R.
Alleluia.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R.
Alleluia.
I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
R.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R.
Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
or:
R.
Alleluia.


 

Reading II - 1 Peter 1:3-9

3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you
5
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
6
4 In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials,
7
so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
8
Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
9
as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls.

 

Gospel - John 20:19-31

19
11 12 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you."
20
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 13 The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21
14 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
22
15 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit.
23
16 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
24
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25
So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
26
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."
27
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
28
17 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29
18 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
30
19 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book.
31
But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

 

----------

 

[[[ From the SFDS Bulletin - STEWARDSHIP IS WHAT I DO AFTER I SAY: "I BELIEVE."

Jesus meets the need of each disciple.  To the fearful in the upper room, He speaks words of peace.  To doubting Thomas, He provides the tangible proof of His resurrection.  What do I need to become His disciple?  What do I have to share that might meet someone else's need?]]]

 

-----------

 

I like how the priest ended his homily today.  He was talking about how important it is to interact with others to develop our faith vs. isolating ourselves when the times get rough in order to deal with matters of life.  And he told this story:

"There once was a man who went to church regularly for many years.  He was a quiet man, and lived much of his life alone.  He lived in a cold part of the country, and one day he stopped going to mass.  After a few weeks, the Pastor of the church came to the man's house to pay him a visit.

The man spoke no words, but kindly invited the Pastor into his home, where he had a nice fire on in the fireplace.  The Pastor sat down in front of the fire next to the man, and said nothing.

For some time the Pastor observed and contemplated the dancing of the fire around the logs and embers.  After a while, he took a burning branch out of the fire carefully, so as not to burn himself, and set the flaming branch apart from the fire.  Not long after the branch's flame grew dimmer, and soon became a glowing ember, and soon showed no signs of heat.

When the Pastor decide it was time to go, since the man had not spoken a word to this point, the Pastor took the extinguished branch and put it back into the fire with the logs and embers.  Quickly, the branch glowed red and caught fire.  With that, he got up to leave.

The man of the house walked the Pastor to the door and said, "Pastor, thank you for the fiery sermon."

 

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Sunday, March 23, 2008:   (EASTER SUNDAY) Readings for today:  Acts 10:34a, 37-43 / Colossians 3:1-4 / John 20:1-9

Reading I - Acts 10:34a, 37-43

34
12 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, 13 "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
37
what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,
38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth 16 with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39
We are witnesses 17 of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
40
This man God raised (on) the third day and granted that he be visible,
41
not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42
He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 18
43
To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."
 

 Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

R. (24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;
the right hand of the LORD is exalted.
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.”
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 

 

Reading II - Colossians 3:1-4

1
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
3
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4
When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

 

Gospel - John 20:1-9

1
1 2 3 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.
2
So she ran 4 and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."
3
5 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
4
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first;
5
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
6
When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths 6 there,
7
and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
8
Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.
9
7 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

 

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At Easter we celebrate the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, who was dead through crucifixion, who died as an innocent lamb sacrifice for our sins, conquered death by rising from the dead.  Jesus was dead, and IS alive.  Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.  He is still with us, and still alive...think about that...and Jesus will never die again.  Do you ever wonder how many people you've met or interacted with in your life might actually be Jesus?  That's how we are to view everyone and how we are to treat everyone.  How many people have we mistreated, shrugged off, ignored, felt hatred towards? 

This is what we should keep in the front of our minds at all times, and strive for, because it makes us put God first, and makes us watch and correct our behaviors and interactions with others.

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[[[From SFDS Bulletin's Weekly Reflections

"As disciples, we are called to bear witness to the Good News of God's unending love for us.  Talking about God, saying lots of prayers, going to church even everyday is not what it is really about.  It is our actions, how we treat others, how we use what we have been given that proclaims the message.  Consider the message you are proclaiming by your life - is it the Good News?

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.   Psalm 118:1]]]

 

 

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Sunday, March 16, 2008:   Readings for today:  Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14 - 27:66

Palm Sunday Celebration:

(Gospel reading, outside church, holding palms up high in honor of our king, the Lord Jesus Christ, before marching into church) 

Matthew 21:1-11

1
1 When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage 2 on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,
2
saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. 3 Untie them and bring them here to me.
3
And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, 'The master has need of them.' Then he will send them at once."
4
4 This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
5
"Say to daughter Zion, 'Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"
6
The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.
7
5 They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them.
8
6 The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road.
9
The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: "Hosanna 7 to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest."
10
And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken 8 and asked, "Who is this?"
11
And the crowds replied, "This is Jesus the prophet, 9 from Nazareth in Galilee."

 

(Reading I, once inside church)

Isaiah 50:4-7

4
3 The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear;
5
4 And I have not rebelled, have not turned back.
6
5 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.
7
The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

 

Responsorial Psalm:  (Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24)

R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me;
they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:
“He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
let him rescue him, if he loves him.”
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Indeed, many dogs surround me,
a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
They have pierced my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
They divide my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.
But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
“You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”
R.
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

 

Reading II

Philippians 2:6-11

6
Who, 3 though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 4
7
Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; 5 and found human in appearance,
8
he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 6
9
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name 7 that is above every name,
10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, 8 of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 9 to the glory of God the Father.

 

Gospel

Matthew 26:14 - 27:66

14
Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscar iot, 7 went to the chief priests
15
8 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver,
16
and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
17
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 9 the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
18
10 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."'"
19
The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
20
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve.
21
And while they were eating, he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 11
22
Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?"
23
He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.
24
12 The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born."
25
13 Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so."
26
14 15 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, 16 and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you,
28
for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
29
17 I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father."
30
18 Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31
Then Jesus said to them, "This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, 19 for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed';
32
but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee."
33
Peter said to him in reply, "Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be."
34
20 Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."
35
Peter said to him, "Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you." And all the disciples spoke likewise.
36
21 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, 22 and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37
He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, 23 and began to feel sorrow and distress.
38
Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. 24 Remain here and keep watch with me."
39
He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, 25 if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."
40
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?
41
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. 26 The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42
27 Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!"
43
Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.
44
He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.
45
Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
46
Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand."
47
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
48
His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, "The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him."
49
Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" 28 and he kissed him.
50
Jesus answered him, "Friend, do what you have come for." Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
51
And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear.
52
Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53
Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?
54
But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?"
55
29 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.
56
But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
57
30 Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas 31 the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58
Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest's courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome.
59
The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin 32 kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death,
60
but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two 33 came forward
61
who stated, "This man said, 'I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.'"
62
The high priest rose and addressed him, "Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?"
63
But Jesus was silent. 34 Then the high priest said to him, "I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
64
Jesus said to him in reply, "You have said so. 35 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.'"
65
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! 36 What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy;
66
what is your opinion?" They said in reply, "He deserves to die!"
67
37 Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him,
68
saying, "Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?"
69
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean."
70
38 But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!"
71
As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean."
72
Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!"
73
39 A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away."
74
At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed.
75
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly.
 
Chapter 27
1
1 2 When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
2
They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
3
Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver 3 to the chief priests and elders,
4
saying, "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? Look to it yourself."
5
4 Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself.
6
The chief priests gathered up the money, but said, "It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury, for it is the price of blood."
7
After consultation, they used it to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.
8
That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood.
9
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet, 5 "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man with a price on his head, a price set by some of the Israelites,
10
and they paid it out for the potter's field just as the Lord had commanded me."
11
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 6 Jesus said, "You say so."
12
And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, 7 he made no answer.
13
Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?"
14
But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15
8 Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished.
16
9 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called (Jesus) Barabbas.
17
So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, "Which one do you want me to release to you, (Jesus) Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah?"
18
10 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over.
19
11 While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him."
20
The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus.
21
The governor said to them in reply, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They answered, "Barabbas!"
22
12 Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?" They all said, "Let him be crucified!"
23
But he said, "Why? What evil has he done?" They only shouted the louder, "Let him be crucified!"
24
13 When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. Look to it yourselves."
25
And the whole people said in reply, "His blood be upon us and upon our children."
26
Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, 14 he handed him over to be crucified.
27
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium 15 and gathered the whole cohort around him.
28
They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak 16 about him.
29
Weaving a crown out of thorns, 17 they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
30
They spat upon him 18 and took the reed and kept striking him on the head.
31
And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.
32
19 As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.
33
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull),
34
they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. 20 But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink.
35
After they had crucified him, they divided his garments 21 by casting lots;
36
then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
37
And they placed over his head the written charge 22 against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
38
Two revolutionaries 23 were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left.
39
24 Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads
40
and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, (and) come down from the cross!"
41
Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said,
42
"He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! 25 Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
43
26 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
44
The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.
45
27 From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
46
And about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" 28 which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
47
29 Some of the bystanders who heard it said, "This one is calling for Elijah."
48
Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink.
49
But the rest said, "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him."
50
30 But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.
51
And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. 31 The earth quaked, rocks were split,
52
tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
53
And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
54
32 The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!"
55
There were many women there, looking on from a distance, 33 who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.
56
Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
57
34 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus.
58
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.
59
Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it (in) clean linen
60
and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed.
61
But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb.
62
35 The next day, the one following the day of preparation, 36 the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate
63
and said, "Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said, 'After three days I will be raised up.'
64
Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day, lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people, 'He has been raised from the dead.' This last imposture would be worse than the first." 37
65
Pilate said to them, "The guard is yours; 38 go secure it as best you can."
66
So they went and secured the tomb by fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard.

 

------------

From the SFDS Bulletin:

[[[Stewardship is what I do after I say: "I believe."

"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them," says Isaiah in today's first reading.  The gifts God has given us are likewise given for the good of others.  How am I using my gifts?

Weekly Reflections

Lent offers us a time to reflect on our discipleship.  How well are we following the example Jesus gave us?  Instead of comparing ourselves in light of the accomplishments and failures of others, we should be looking at Jesus.  How do we treat others - with compassion and forgiveness or with harshness and condemnation?  Do we look for ways to help people or do we focus on what they can do for us?  What do we do with our resources and gifts - hoard them or share them with those around us?  If you think you are doing a great job as a disciple, think again - no one measures up to Jesus.  Instead be thankful for the progress you have made and look to what you can do to improve.

But you, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me.  Psalm 22:19]]]

-----------

This Thursday is Holy Thursday and feet washing will be part of the service at mass.  This Friday is Good Friday and next Sunday is Easter Sunday (celebration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ)

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Sunday, March 2, 2008:   Readings for today:  1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a;  Ephesians 5:8-14;  John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

 

1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

1
1 The LORD said to Samuel: Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons."
6
As they came, he looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is here before him."
7
But the LORD said to Samuel: "Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart."
10
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any one of these."
11
Then Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" Jesse replied, "There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here."
12
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, "There-anoint him, for this is he!"
13
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

 

Ephesians 5:8-14

8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,
9
for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.
10
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them,
12
for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret;
13
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14
for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." 3

 

John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

1
1 As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
6
he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes,
7
and said to him, "Go wash 3 in the Pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
8
His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?"
9
Some said, "It is," but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am."
13
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
14
Now Jesus had made clay 4 and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
15
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see."
16
So some of 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.
17
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."
34
They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out.
35
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36
He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"
37
Jesus said to him, "You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he."
38
He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him.

 

----------------

The thing that stands out most to me about these readings is the idea of not judging others by appearance. 

In the first reading, God sends Samuel to anoint the new king, the soon-to-be successor of King Saul, chosen by God.  Samuel sees the first son of Jesse and sees that he is "of lofty stature" (which can mean tall, exalted, of high moral character, or having or displaying great dignity or nobility), yet God tells him not to be fooled by his appearance, and that God has in fact rejected this first son of Jesse.  It's important to remember that in those times, the first born son usually was heir to all as a birthright, and firstborn sons were assumed to belong to God.  Yet God did not choose this person, nor any of the seven (or maybe other seven) sons of Jesse that were presented to Samuel.  Instead, God chose the youngest sheep herder son, described as "ruddy" (which means a reddish color associated with the skin of someone that leads a mostly outdoor life)...from this we can assume that though David was handsome and splendid in appearance, he probably did not look like the kingly sort.

In the gospel reading, we see the same sort of judging by appearance done by the Pharisees with respect to Jesus.  It appeared that Jesus didn't keep the sabbath law because he healed a person on the sabbath (not just in this instance, but in many others as well), he made clay on the sabbath, he put the clay on someone on the sabbath.  Therefore, the Pharisees disputed amongst themselves as to whether or not Jesus was a man of God.  They judged him based on silly assumptions about the law of Moses, deciding that Jesus was not a strict follower of the law of the sabbath, and therefore could not be a man of God.  Most people would look at the good Jesus performed (healing a man of his blindness, a condition the man was born with, and something which nobody else had ever done), and some of the Pharisees took that into consideration, but the rest did not, based on this superficial argument.  They made the mistake Samuel made with the first son of Jesse, of judging solely by appearance and not by spirit.  The Pharisees expected one type of messiah, but God gave them a messiah altogether different from what they were expecting, thus they overlooked and rejected Jesus.

But hidden in this rejection of Jesus by the Pharisees is the Pharisees jealousy of Jesus.  Jesus had been making a great number of followers, and the Pharisees didn't want to lose their power over the people to Jesus, not because Jesus taught wrong things, but because they were selfish and wanted to keep this authoritative power over the people for themselves.  If you read the story of Saul and David from the first reading all the way through the chapter, you will see that Saul did the same thing...he was rejected by God after a time, and didn't want David to take the throne from him, and tried to have him killed on several occasions.  The Pharisees end up having Jesus killed because of their jealousy and because they didn't want Jesus taking followers for himself away from the temple and Pharisees.

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Sunday, February 24, 2008:   Readings for today:  Exodus 17:3-7;  Romans 5:1-2, 5-8;  John 4:5-42

 

Exodus 17:3-7

3
Here, then, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?"
4
So Moses cried out to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? A little more and they will stone me!"
5
The LORD answered Moses, "Go over there in front of the people, along with some of the elders of Israel, holding in your hand, as you go, the staff with which you struck the river.
6
I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink." This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel.
7
1 The place was called Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD in our midst or not?"

 

Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

1
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace 2 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2
through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
5
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.
6
For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly.
7
Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. 3
8
But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

 

John 4:5-42

5
So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, 4 near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
6
Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.
7
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."
8
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
9
5 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.)
10
6 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
11
(The woman) said to him, "Sir, 7 you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water?
12
Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?"
13
Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
14
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
15
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."
16
Jesus said to her, "Go call your husband and come back."
17
The woman answered and said to him, "I do not have a husband." Jesus answered her, "You are right in saying, 'I do not have a husband.'
18
For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true."
19
The woman said to him, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.
20
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; 8 but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem."
21
Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
22
You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews.
23
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; 9 and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
24
God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth."
25
10 The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything."
26
Jesus said to her, "I am he, 11 the one who is speaking with you."
27
At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, 12 but still no one said, "What are you looking for?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
28
The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people,
29
"Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?"
30
They went out of the town and came to him.
31
Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat."
32
But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know."
33
So the disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat?"
34
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.
35
Do you not say, 'In four months 13 the harvest will be here'? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.
36
The reaper is already 14 receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.
37
For here the saying is verified that 'One sows and another reaps.'
38
I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work."
39
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman 15 who testified, "He told me everything I have done."
40
When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.
41
Many more began to believe in him because of his word,
42
and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world."

 

------------

I see two common themes in the readings for today.  In the reading from Exodus and the reading from the Gospel of John there is the theme of the importance of water, not just physical but also spiritual importance.  In all three readings is the theme of God proving his love for us.  In the end we learn that Jesus becomes the spiritual living water that nourishes us and keeps us satisfied, so that we never need thirst for that closeness with God that fills the void of daily life.

Water is precious and life-giving.  Without enough water plants wither and die, and without enough water the human body begins to malfunction from dehydration and dies without enough water as well.  That's the physical importance of water.  Now think of the spiritual importance of water.  When we lack enough water or fear dehydration (take for example the Israelites wandering through the desert following Moses), it's easy to panic and lose your faith in God's love for us.  In such situations it's easy for people to lose their morality and fight or even kill for water.  Rather than trusting that God will see us through it, some people break from this belief in a close-knit loving relationship with God and choose to believe God has abandoned them.  But through the scriptures we see that God does not abandon us in our time of need, if we keep our faith in Him and His love for us. 

All three readings show how God proves His love for His people.  In the reading from Exodus, He makes water flow from a rock in the desert, even when the people lost faith.  In Paul's letter to the Romans, we see how God proved His love for us by dying for us (in Jesus), though we were still sinners and ungodly...and as the letter points out, it's difficult enough to die for a person who is "just" and difficult still to die for a "good" person, though we might find the courage to do so.  How difficult it is, the letter points out, to die for ungodly people though, basically to die for people who don't deserve such self-sacrifice.  Yet God, in the person of Jesus, did that for us.  Even in the gospel reading, we see that Jesus, a Jew (known not to share things in common with non-Jews for fear of becoming ritually impure), talks to a woman Samaritan, another thing a Jew of Jesus' moral uprightness would not normally do.  The woman is likely a loose woman, since she has had 4 husbands and the person she's living with at the moment is not her husband, and so is not considered holy or probably even clean, yet Jesus offers her living water leading to eternal life.

Jesus, through his self-sacrifice, becomes that living water that quenches the thirst in our souls when we feel alienated from God because it is through Jesus that we have redemption and atonement (or as some would say, "at-one-ment") with God.  Jesus lived as a human, felt the same feelings we felt, and was tempted in every area we as people are tempted in, and because of that he has mercy on us and offers us the chances we need to change, until we are perfected by God, so that we don't need to feel spiritually thirsty for God.

 

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Sunday, February 17, 2008:   Readings for today:  Genesis 12:1-4;  2 Timothy 1:8-10;  Matthew 17:1-9

 

Genesis 12:1-4a

1
The LORD said to Abram: "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you.
2
"I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
3
1 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you."
4
Abram went as the LORD directed him, and Lot went with him.

 

2 Timothy 1:8b-10

8
... but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.
9
7 He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
10
but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

 

Matthew 17:1-9

1
1 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2
3 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
3
4 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
4
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents 5 here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, 6 then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
6
7 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
7
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid."
8
And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
9
8 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision 9 to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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Today's readings show a pattern of God's intervention with mankind and His covenant working through Israel for the benefit of all the nations of the earth through Jesus Christ.  In the Genesis reading, God makes a promise to Abram that He will make a great nation of him (Israel) and that through him all the nations of the earth will find blessing.  Abram was in his nineties at the time, without children and his wife was just about ninety and obviously way past  her childbearing years.  Abram believed in God and went where he was told in order that the promise would be fulfilled.  This happened before Israel was a nation and before they were enslaved to the Egyptians.

Jesus is the tool (over a thousand years after this promise to Abram) through which all the nations of the earth would find blessing through Abram's descendants...Israel.  Jesus was an Israelite...a Jew.  Up until Jesus' death and resurrection only the Jews were considered God's chosen people and given the chance for everlasting life after the day of judgment, but through Jesus' death and resurrection the Gentiles (all other nations of the earth) have an opportunity for this special consideration.  When you accept Jesus as Lord and savior, going through the requisite baptism, you become a member of the family of God along with the chance for everlasting life, whether or not you are a Jew.  As proof of Jesus' importance, God again revealed Himself to the disciples on the mountain in which Jesus was transfigured into the shining light that he is, and God spoke to the disciples telling them to Jesus is His beloved son and to listen to him.

The reading from 2 Timothy should keep us humble in knowing that nothing we as individuals or groups did warranted the grace of mercy offered through Jesus...rather, it was God's plan from before time even began and it is a gift.  But in order to receive this gift we must accept Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the one anointed to go through the death and resurrection, living a life obedient to God's laws, so that he could become the perfect and everlasting sacrifice for our sins (our breaking relationship with God by not following His laws).  In other words, God gives us a vehicle for salvation and everlasting life, and He even steers it...all we have to do is get on board and stay on board...He will do the rest.

 

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Sunday, February 10, 2008:   Readings for today:  Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7;  Romans 5:12, 17-19;  Matthew 4:1-11

 

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7

7
2 the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.
8
3 Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and he placed there the man whom he had formed.
9
Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.
1
Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the LORD God had made. The serpent asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?"
2
The woman answered the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;
3
it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.'"
4
But the serpent said to the woman: "You certainly will not die!
5
1 No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad."
6
The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
7
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

 

Romans 5:12, 17-19

12
4 Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned 5
17
For if, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.
18
In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all.
19
For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous.

 

Matthew 4:1-11

1
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2
He fasted for forty days and forty nights, 2 and afterwards he was hungry.
3
The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."
4
3 He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
5
4 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple,
6
and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"
7
Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"
8
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
9
and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." 5
10
At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"
11
Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

 

--------------

 

Thoughts on the readings: 

This is the first Sunday in Lent.  Lent is a time to reflect on those things that draw us away from God while trying to oust them from our lives, so that we may have a closer relationship to God and allow God to draw closer to us.

Notice in the reading from Genesis that mankind was created in harmony and union with God, knowing neither sin nor evil.  But through one person, sin came into the world, and sin's final manifestation in mankind is death.  Try re-reading that passage again with these facts in mind:  Adam means "man" or "mankind" or "humankind";  Eve means "mother of all living".  Now rather than focusing on a biblical passage that makes people argue over whether this was a real story or a fictional account, readers can understand the spiritual insight from the passage, which is that mankind chose, of it's own free will, to disrupt this union and harmony with God our creator, which gave death rule over our lives, without hope of reconciling with God.

The passage from Romans explains this further to show that Jesus, through his obedience (to God's will that he become the perfect sacrifice for sin, through death and resurrection) becomes the gateway for reconciliation with God, enabling us to overcome death by God's gift of grace.  The death we overcome is our spiritual death, until Jesus returns to vanquish evil and death so that we may live forever without physical death.

Finally, the passage from Matthew shows how even in the face of temptation, after a very long fast, after being tired and hungry, Jesus still refused to give into temptation, thus refusing sin.  The fact that Jesus did this allowed him to remain empowered by God.  The fact Jesus did this gives empowers us to overcome temptation and refuse to sin, because humans work like that...when we see that someone else has done something that was thought impossible to do, our faith that we could accomplish the same feats increases, the more we try and try and try again.  It was once thought impossible that a runner could run a mile in under 4 minutes, but that record was shattered last century, and more and more people began breaking that "impossible" barrier. 

If we find ourselves spiritually weak, the passage from Matthew gives us clues on how to strengthen our spiritual selves:  1) Fasting (this can be from food or from anything we can do without, but fasting from food is a powerful type of fast, especially when you realize you can go days and weeks without it and feel good and strong at the same time)-  fasting strengthens our resolve and our confidence in ourselves, as well as our compassion for others by showing us through our own willpower that we can do without food for longer than we thought, we learn to resist the temptation to eat when we are not really hungry, and we become compassionate for those who do without food because they are poor, simply because we can sympathize and know what it's like to not get to eat;  2) Knowing the word of God, or better put, keeping the word of God on your minds, in your hearts and on your lips...this allows us to know what is wrong (sin) and gives us a chance to tell ourselves what is wrong in no uncertain terms and in a way that suits us best; and 3) Refusing to give into temptation.  It's just that simple, no matter how difficult our minds make it seem, we have to keep in mind that we will not die if we do not give in to temptation, in fact we will live and we will live closer to God.  But for some reason our minds make us think it's the other way around.  Some people think it's Satan that makes us feel it's the other way around, and in some instances it may be, but the majority of the time, it's just our own imperfect minds.

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Sunday, February 3, 2008:   Readings for today:   Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13;  1 Corinthians 1:26-31;  Matthew 5:1-12a

Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13

3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; Seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD'S anger.
12
But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD;
13
the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; Nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

 

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26
10 Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
27
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
28
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something,
29
so that no human being might boast 11 before God.
30
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,
31
so that, as it is written, "Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord."

 

Matthew 5:1-12a

1
1 When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, 2 he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2
He began to teach them, saying:
3
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, 4 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4
5 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5
6 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
6
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 7 for they will be satisfied.
7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8
8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, 9 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
12
10 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

----------------

Today's readings make me think of God as a master chess player in a game against Satan and the world Satan rules.  Satan uses the powerful, rich, noble people, who are like the powerful pieces of Queen, King, and Bishop in chess.  While God wins the game using pieces like Pawns and Rooks (the not wise by human standards, those who are not powerful and not of noble birth), the "weaker" pieces in chess.

All three readings give us guidelines on how to interact with the world around us in God's favor.  In Zephaniah, we are given the examples of observing God's law, being humble, seek justice and humility, do no wrong, speak no lies and avoid deceit with others.  The reading from 1 Corinthians should humble us and make us realize that nothing we do is gotten by our own selves, but rather it is God's gift that we have anything, and that rather than boast about ourselves, if we boast it should be about God.  This is because God gave us Jesus, who became wisdom from God, and he became our sanctification and our righteousness...none of which could we get of our own devices.  And finally in Gospel reading from Matthew Jesus gives us the beatitudes, which basically tell us that we are blessed whenever we suffer the variety of mental, spiritual and physical problems we humans encounter regularly because God changes our circumstances.

The beatitudes are more than just comforting words, though...they are guidelines on things we should do to those suffering from anything listed there.  We should bless the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, and those who are insulted and persecuted and to whom are uttered every kind of evil because of Jesus.  We should do more than bless those people...when we encounter them or people in such situations we should become the blessing they need and comfort them, take care of them, protect them, and so on.

------------

FYI- This Wednesday, February 6, is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the Lenten season.

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Sunday, January 27, 2008:   Readings for today:  Isaiah 8:23-9:3;  1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17;  Matthew 4:12-23

Isaiah 8:23-9:3

23
First he degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; 10 but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land West of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles. Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness; for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
1
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
2
You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.
3
For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

10
4 I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
11
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are rivalries among you.
12
I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to 5 Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ."
13
6 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
17
7 8 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

 

Matthew 4:12-23

12
6 When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
13
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
15
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
16
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen."
17
7 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
18
8 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
19
He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
20
9 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them,
22
and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
23
10 He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, 11 proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

 

Weekly Reflections from the SFDS Bulletin:

"There are so many paths to God.  Just as there are a variety of people.  The path you are traveling may not be right for someone else.  It is not our place to tell others what to do.  When we are focused on them, we cannot pay attention to what we are doing.  While we may gain insight from others, we must travel our own path.  We need to be clear about our goal and weed out those things that obstruct our path.  Rather than waste time criticizing others, we need to look carefully at how our actions reflect our beliefs.  There is always room to improve and, if we listen to the Spirit, we will see where we need to improve."

------

My thoughts:

The reading from Isaiah foreshadows the Messiah (Jesus), as the reading of Matthew concurs with in stating Jesus is the Messiah.  The reading from the book of Corinthians tells us that though we are taught by many, we as the body of Christ should not stand divided in our beliefs, nor against each other.   Rather we should have a common purpose in learning and living the life of Christ Jesus and his teachings, instead of living the teachings of one of Jesus' preachers.  Notice how Paul humbles himself and negates those that say "they are of Paul", and instead points them to Jesus.

The reading in Matthew shows us the kind of followers we should be...when we get the call we should immediately respond and act, just like (Simon) Peter and Andrew did.  They were fishermen and when Jesus called them, they dropped what they were doing and began to follow him immediately.

So, rather than criticizing others (non-believers, other Christians or other denominations, or anyone else) we should look at those things in our life that don't mesh with our beliefs and overcome them by removing them from our lives, so that what we do reflects properly what we believe.

 

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Sunday, January 13, 2008:   From the SFDS Bulletin:

"Baptism of the Lord - Our Baptism, like the Lord's, is a consecration to service.  The bishops' pastoral on stewardship reminds us that "...there is a fundamental obligation arising from the Sacrament of Baptism that people place their gifts, their resources - their selves - at God's service in and through the Church."

Weekly Reflections ~ Jesus had no need to be baptized.  So why did he insist that John baptize him?  Perhaps, it was a way of showing us that no matter who we are nor how important we become, we are not to make ourselves exempt from the ordinary things that are required of others.  Our actions speak louder than any words.  If we would be followers of Jesus, then we must be like him in all things.  He came to serve and to show us what it means to love one another."

Readings for the day:

Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7

"1
1 Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
2
Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street.
3
2 A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
4
3 Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
6
I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations,
7
To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. "
 

Acts 10:34-38

34
12 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, 13 "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
35
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.
36
14 15 You know the word (that) he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
37
what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached,
38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth 16 with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

 

Matthew 3:13-17

13
10 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14
11 John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"
15
Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.
16
12 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.
17
And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, 13 with whom I am well pleased."

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, December 30, 2007:   In the last week we celebrated Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus the Christ.  Although we don't know the exact date or day of his birth, December 25th is celebrated as that day.  Whenever your true birthday is, happy birthday, Jesus!

This week we celebrate the Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Readings for today: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 / Colossians 3:12-21 / and Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

2
For the LORD sets a father in honor over his children; a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.
3
He who honors his father atones for sins;
4
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
5
He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard.
6
He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the LORD who brings comfort to his mother.
12
My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives.
13
Even if his mind fail, be considerate with him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength.
14
For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering--it will take lasting root.
 

Colossians 3:12-21

12
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
13
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
14
And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
15
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.
16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18
8 Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.
19
Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.
20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.

 

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

13
6 When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, 7 and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him."
14
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.
15
8 He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son."
19
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
20
and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." 10
21
He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
22
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, 11 he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.
23
12 He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean."

 

    In the gospel reading above Joseph's obedience to the angel not only saved the life of the newborn Jesus from Herod, who was out to kill him, but Joseph's obedience also allowed prophecy to be fulfilled...that the Messiah would be God's son, called out of Egypt (Matthew 2:15), and that he would be called a Nazorean (Matthew 2:23).

    In the reading from Colossians, we are called to be Christ-like by putting on love through "heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience," (Colossians 3:12) which allows us to be more Christ-like in forgiving others the same way God has forgiven us, and with wisdom correcting others when they are not living correctly with love and understanding, and to respect our family.  But it means more than just protecting or wisely correcting our own family...it calls us to go that extra step for everyone that may need our help in any area of their lives.

 

Weekly Reflections from St. Francis de Sales Bulletin:

"It is not easy to be a true Christian.  It is not a matter of declaring that Jesus is Our Lord.  It is a matter of living according to Jesus' example.  We want our world to be just and fair and we are upset because it isn't.  However, as Christians, we are called to change ourselves, not the world.  We are to bear with each other, to forgive again and again, and most of all to love not just our friends but our enemies too.  The more Christ-like we become, the more peaceful our spirit will be."  

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, December 16, 2007:   Any Spider-man fans out there?  Was Uncle Ben quoting the Bible to Peter Parker when he told Peter, "With great power comes great responsibility."?

 

From Crackle: Spider-Man: Great Power...

I think so.  Here's where to find it:

Luke 12:48

"48 ...From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."

----

JESUS BETTER THAN THE PROPHET JONAH

If you read the story of the prophet Jonah, you know that God called him to preach to the wicked Ninevites that they should repent, but that Jonah refused the calling at first.  When he refused, he got on a ship with other people, and God sent a storm after him...such a strong storm in fact that all the men on the ship prayed to their own gods and drew lots to see whose fault it was that God was angry with them (violent storm and waves).  Naturally, Jonah drew the straw (lot) and the others asked why he had done it (because they knew what he had done).  Jonah determined that they would be saved if they threw him overboard, and they were...Jonah was dragged underwater by the waves and seaweed, and a big fish swallowed him, which kept him alive, and the storm subsided and the ship was saved.

This is similar to the New Testament account of Jesus asleep on the boat when a strong storm blows through and the Apostles fear they will drown and die.  They wake Jesus up (the men on the ship with Jonah had to wake Jonah up as well), and Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea and all is calm.  Jesus didn't have to be thrown overboard because he accepted his calling and destiny willingly.  Also, he had power over the elements (wind and the sea).

Jonah 1:4-15

"4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

 6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

 7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

 8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?

 9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.

 10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him. Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

 11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

 12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

 13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.

 14 Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.

 15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging."

 

Now compare that to the passage about Jesus and the Apostles in the boat when a storm comes:

Matthew 8:23-27

 "23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 

 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!"

 

 

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Sunday, December 9, 2007:   Day of the Lord - End Time Stuff

Again, came across scriptures  (in the book of Joel) in my readings that made me recall similar and/or the same descriptions in the book of Revelation regarding the end of time...the Day of the Lord.

Joel 2:1-6

"1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

 2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

 3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

 4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

 5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

 6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness."

 

Compare that to Revelation 6:2,4-5,8 in which the descriptions of those horsemen is given in detail, along with what they will do and how they'll do it with the power given to them as in Joel 2:4.

Revelation 6:2-8

"2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

 3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

 5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

 7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

 8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."

 

And Revelation 9:13-21 notice the descriptions in verses 17 and 18 of how they will destroy and kill men with fire as in Joel 2:3, and how the people will be pained and how their faces shall gather blackness (as in Joel 2:6) is described in Revelation 9:19

Revelation 9:13-21

"13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

 20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts."

 

Then there are the descriptions of the great earthquakes, first in Joel 2:10-11 then in Revelation 6:12-14.  Also, notice there will be darkness (revealed in Joel and detailed in Revelation).

Joel 2:10-11

"10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

 11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?"

 

Revelation 6:12-14

"12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places."

 

But the good news is that Almighty God gives us time to repent, even in the moments of the end times, the end of days.  Repent means to change one's ways to follow the laws of Almighty God.  God is full of love and mercy, slow to anger, but the problem is we humans just don't know when our time is up...God may take our lives at any time...nobody knows when their time is up for sure, even when you have a good idea (like those dying of cancer, for example, but even they can't be sure).

Joel 2:12-13

"12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."

 

Revelation 9:20-21

"20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, December 2, 2007:   I was reading the book of the prophet Hosea and came across a passage that sparked the memory of an almost identical passage in the book of Revelation.  Sometimes I like to connect similar passages as proofs, and sometimes they lead to a whole new understanding of a part of God's word.  Sometimes, though, the similar passage is just that.  This time I thought it was just a similar passage and nothing more, but then it led to other connections and I want to share them:

The passage that started the connections was in Hosea 10:8, the part that says, "and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us."

Hosea 10:8-9

"8 The high places of wickedness [a] will be destroyed—
       it is the sin of Israel.
       Thorns and thistles will grow up
       and cover their altars.
       Then they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!"
       and to the hills, "Fall on us!"

 9 "Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, O Israel,
       and there you have remained. [b]
       Did not war overtake
       the evildoers in Gibeah?"

 

Notice the similar quote in Revelation 6:16...

Revelation 6:16

"16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!"

 

And in Luke 23:28-31, we see it again, but this time Jesus is telling this to the women he encounters as he is being led to the cross to be crucified.

Luke 23:28-31

"28 Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.

29 For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'

30 Then  'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!"
      and to the hills, "Cover us!" '

31 For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

 

So, again, I read Hosea 10:8 and the part talking about the thorn and thistle made me think of the parable of the sower, in which Jesus talks about the kingdom of God and relates it to planting seeds on various types of soil.

First, Hosea 10:8

 "8 The high places of wickedness [a] will be destroyed—
       it is the sin of Israel.
       Thorns and thistles will grow up
       and cover their altars.
       Then they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!"
       and to the hills, "Fall on us!""

 

Luke 8:4-8 (Parable of the sower)

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:

5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.

6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.

7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.

8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."
      When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

and Luke 8:11-15 (explaining the parable)

11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

 

And this parable connects the thorns and thistles as things that crop up to choke the word of God out of our minds in our daily lives, whether you call it the devil, or television, or work, or online games and porn...whatever it is that you put first in place of God in your mind, body and soul on a daily basis...these are the things that draw you away from God's love, mercy, and blessings, and ultimately away from everlasting life.

Again, that parable of the sower and the passage in Hosea made me think of the parable of the weeds in Matthew, because in it the owner (aka God) tells the workers to let the weeds grow with the wheat, so as not to damage or kill the wheat by uprooting the weeds when the wheat is young and tender, but rather to separate them at harvest (the end of time) and burn (destroy) the weeds and chaff and bring the wheat into the barn (wheat = those who are saved; barn = heaven and everlasting life).

Matthew 13:24-30

The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

 27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

 28 " 'An enemy did this,' he replied.
      "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

 29" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' ""

And this parable connects to Hosea 10:12-13, which tells us that because of our sin, trusting in our own ways and the ways of mighty men for life and salvation, rather that God and His word, that is why we are separated from God's blessings, mercies, and ultimately everlasting life.

Hosea 10:12-13

"12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

 13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men."

And now the comic musings of Jim Gaffigan on Catholicism...I was like that, but I finally read my Bible and now I'm addicted to it.

 

And here's a compilation of some funny moments in church.  Never seen anything like that myself, but it's funny!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, November 25, 2007:   Solemnity of Jesus as king of the universe...Weekly reflections (from St. Francis de Sales Bulletin):

"Who is worthy to enter the kingdom of Heaven?  Consider that Jesus told only one person that he would be in heaven - the thief dying on the cross.  Would this thief be your pick for an example of who would go to heaven?  While we don't know all of his crimes, it is reasonable to assume he did not lead an honorable life.  So, how is it that he gets to go to heaven?  Look at what he said.  He acknowledged his sins and accepted his punishment as what he deserved.  He did not ask Jesus to change his fate.  He asked only that Jesus remember him when he came into his kingdom.  It is only in acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking God's mercy that we can be open to God's healing and blessings.

Give thanks to the Father for having made you worthy to share the lot of the saints in light."

 

 

Readings:

2 Samuel 5:1-3

"1
All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: "Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
2
In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.'"
3
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel."

Colossians 1:12-20

"12
5 giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
13
He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15
6 He is the image 7 of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16
For in him 8 were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.
17
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18
He is the head of the body, the church. 9 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
19
For in him all the fullness 10 was pleased to dwell,
20
and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross 11 (through him), whether those on earth or those in heaven."
 

Luke 23:35-43 (Jesus tells the thief on the cross next to him he'll be in paradise that day)

"35
The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God."
36
Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine
37
they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself."
38
Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."
39
6 Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us."
40
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?
41
And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."
42
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43
He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.""
 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, November 18, 2007:   I want to take this time to thank the spammers and those of you who despise the page so much that you posted the contact email addresses in so many places that I get thousands of spam emails from people who want to sell me products to elongate my genitalia, keep my erection longer, pills for this and that, software for this and that, etc. and so on.  You have worked so hard that in just 2 weeks with a new contact email I already had over 500 spam emails.  God bless you and please "piss off".

Weekly reflections (from St. Francis de Sales bulletin):

1) "Throughout human history there have been speculations about the "end times."  People look to world events and see prophesies fulfilled  that signal the "end" is near.  Such speculations have caused some to ignore the obligations of daily life.  Even Paul, who believed the "end" was coming soon, insisted that people tend to their daily obligations - working and caring for their families and communities.  If history teaches anything, it is that these speculations are consistently incorrect.  Our focus needs to be on how we are living our life today - doing what we can to care for one another and to build up our community."

2) "Some people seem very focused on the "hereafter."  Most of us have at least a passing thought about it from time to time.  The fact is no one knows what is coming, when it will happen and who will be "saved" or "condemned."  From scripture, we know that God does not act according to our rules and judgments.  We have enough to deal with in the here and now.  If we believe we are God's children - all of us - then we must trust in God's endless love and leave the future in his hands.  For now, we must do what we can to reflect God's love and our trust in his mercy for all people."

Readings for today:

Malachi 3:19-20a (in some Bibles it will actually be Malachi 4:1-2)

"19
For lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, And the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts.
20
But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays;"

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

"7
For you know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
8
nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you.
9
Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us.
10
In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.
11
We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others.
12
Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food."
 

Luke 21:5-19

"5
2 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said,
6
"All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
7
Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
8
He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' 3 Do not follow them!
9
When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end."
10
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
12
"Before all this happens, 4 however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.
13
It will lead to your giving testimony.
14
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
15
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking 5 that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
16
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
17
You will be hated by all because of my name,
18
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
19
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

 

 

 

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Sunday, November 11, 2007:   Did you know Jesus suffered similar situations as the prophet Daniel?  I came across these similarities in my readings the other day.

A little background on Daniel....Once King Belshazzar made Daniel a ruler in the kingdom, and once Belshazzar was slain and Darius took the kingdom, Darius made Daniel the top president (of 3 presidents of the kingdom).  The princes gave account to the presidents.

Similarity #1:  Because Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes because of the excellent spirit in him, the other two presidents and the princes looked for a way to find a charge against Daniel due to their jealousy.  Because Jesus had such an excellent spirit and because of the jealousy of the religious leaders (the Pharisees and the Sadducees), they tried to find fault in Jesus and his teachings to bring a charge against him, and even to put him to death.  No fault was found with either Daniel nor with Jesus.

Daniel 6:3-5

"3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God."

 

Mark 14:55-59

"55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

 56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

 57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

 59 But neither so did their witness agree together."

 

Matthew 26:3-4

"3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him."

 

Matthew 22:15

"15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk."

 

Matthew 21:45-46

"45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

 46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet."

 

Similarity #2:  Both Jesus and Daniel had charges brought against them through political manipulation.  In both cases (the king in Daniel's case, and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate in Jesus' case) the political leaders found no wrong in the accused, but to keep peace with the people and to protect themselves, they relented to those bringing up charges.

Daniel 6:5-16

"5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

 6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

 11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

 12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

 15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee."

 

Matthew 27:1-2

"1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor."

 

Matthew 27:13-24

"13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

 15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it."

 

Mark 15:1-15

"1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

 2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.

 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

 4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

 5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

 6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

 7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

 8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

 10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

 11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

 12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.

 14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

 15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, November 4, 2007:   No matter where we are in life, and no matter how we might think we got there, it's important to remember that God puts us where we need to be.  God elevates our status or removes it as He sees fit.  This doesn't mean we are stuck in the lower depths of any status in life, nor does it mean that if we rule, lead, or master something that God will not remove it from us.  God made a lowly shepherd boy named David a king, and God made the king of  Babylon as low as a beast in the field.  The key to moving up in life is repentance, turning away from sin, and God gives us the room and time to do that.

In Daniel chapter 4, we see the the story of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, after he has a dream that disturbs him.  He calls on the magicians and astrologers to tell him the interpretation of his dream.  Only Daniel (named Belteshazzar by Nebuchadnezzar, after the name of Nebuchadnezzar's god) can interpret his dream.  Daniel tells the king the interpretation of the dream:

Daniel 4:19-27

"19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

 20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:

 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility."

 

Basically, king Nebuchadnezzar believed that by his own work and power was Babylon the greatest nation on earth.  The dream interpretation shows that God is the one that places people to rule and God decides how great or powerful a nation becomes, because it is in God's power to do so, not man's.  To humble the king of Babylon, God will remove Nebuchadnezzar from the throne and make him to be like a beast for 7 years, living in the field and eating grass like a beast, yet God will keep Babylon strong without Nebuchadnezzar just to show him that it is by God's power alone Babylon is great, and that God can appoint whomever He chooses to rule kingdoms.

Daniel (in verse 27) recommends the king repent, turn away from his sins, to make the outcome more tolerable for him.

Nebuchadnezzar verifies this truth and admits it, after his ordeal:

Daniel 4:30-37

"30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

 31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

 34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

 

Jesus even testifies to God's power in the putting of rulers in places of rule when facing crucifixion with Pontius Pilate:

John 19:10-12

"10 So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?"

 11 Jesus answered, "(A)You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason (B)he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

 12 As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, "(C)If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar."

 

But watch how a simple show of respect by Jesus to a person thought of as an outcast and a sinner by his society helped change the person's heart to repentance.  Zacchaeus was a tax collector, a person loathed by the Jews because tax collectors of the time could be unfairly coercive and any monies they got out of you above and beyond what you owed they kept as a profit.  Tax collectors were therefore considered sinners because they were likely to cheat you. 

Zacchaeus was a man of small stature (he was short), and he wanted to see Jesus but because there were so many people around Jesus, he couldn't, so he decided to run ahead and climb a tree to get a glimpse to see what Jesus looked like.  As Jesus neared the spot, He looked up and called to Zacchaeus, telling him to come down because He (Jesus) needed to stay at his (Zacchaeus') house that day.  Just because Jesus did this, the people grumbled, thinking themselves better than Zacchaeus, and wondering why Jesus would be going to stay at the house of a sinner, someone that could defile you by being in their presence in Jewish tradition at the time.  The respect Jesus showed Zacchaeus prompted him to repent:

Luke 19:1-10

Zaccheus Converted
 1 He (A)entered Jericho and was passing through.

 2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich.

 3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature.

 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a (B)sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.

 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house."

 6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.

 7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."

 8 Zaccheus stopped and said to (C)the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have (D)defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back (E)four times as much."

 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is (F)a son of Abraham.

 10 "For (G)the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

 

Jesus asking to stay at his house was a great honor for Zacchaeus.  Not everyone is asked by the Messiah, the Son of God, if He can stay at their house, and this honor was bestowed on Zacchaeus, not because he was great, nor because he was loved, but because he had the heart for repentance, and he repented.

This ties in with the first reading of the day from the book of Wisdom:

Wisdom 11:22-12:2

"22 "Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance
or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.
23 But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;
and you overlook people's sins that they may repent.
24 For you love all things that are
and loathe nothing that you have made;
for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.
25 And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;
or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?
26 But you spare all things, because they are yours,
O LORD and lover of souls,

Chapter 12


1 for your imperishable spirit is in all things!
2 Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little,
warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing,
that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, October 28, 2007:   Power of words part 2:

More verses on the power of words and their effects on us...even some defense against words (ex. Proverbs 25:23).  So consider how you use words, learn from the wisdom contained in these Proverbs and apply them to your life if you want to live a more peaceful and harmonious life closer to God.

Proverbs 19:1

On Life and Conduct
    1(A) Better is a poor man who (B)walks in his integrity
         Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

 

 Proverbs 19:9

 9 A (A)false witness will not go unpunished,
         And he who tells lies will perish.

 

Proverbs 20:3

3(A) Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
         But any fool will quarrel.

 

 Proverbs 20:17

 17(A) Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,
         But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

 

Proverbs 20:19-20

19 He who (A)goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
         Therefore do not associate with (B)a gossip.
    20 He who (C)curses his father or his mother,
         His (D)lamp will go out in time of darkness.

 

Proverbs 21:6

 6 The (A)acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue
         Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of (B)death.

 

Proverbs 21:9

9 It is better to live in a corner of a roof
         Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

 

Proverbs 21:19

19(A) It is better to live in a desert land
         Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

 

Proverbs 21:23

23 He who (A)guards his mouth and his tongue,
         Guards his soul from troubles.

 

Proverbs 22:10-12

10(A) Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out,
         Even strife and dishonor will cease.
    11 He who loves (B)purity of heart
         And whose speech is (C)gracious, the king is his friend.
    12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge,
         But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man.

 

Proverbs 22:14

14 The mouth of (A)an adulteress is a deep pit;
         He who is (B)cursed of the LORD will fall into it.

 

Proverbs 23:9

9(A) Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
         For he will (B)despise the wisdom of your words.

 

Proverbs 24:28

28 Do not be a (A)witness against your neighbor without cause,
         And (B)do not deceive with your lips.

 

Proverbs 25:9-12

9(A) Argue your case with your neighbor,
         And
(B)do not reveal the secret of another,
    10 Or he who hears it will reproach you,
         And the evil report about you will not pass away.
    11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver
         Is a
(C)word spoken in right circumstances.
    12 Like an
(D)earring of gold and an (E)ornament of (F)fine gold
         Is a wise reprover to a (G)listening ear.

 

Proverbs 25:18

18 Like a club and a (A)sword and a sharp (B)arrow
         Is a man who bears
(C)false witness against his neighbor.

 

Proverbs 25:20

20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda,
         Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.

 

Proverbs 25:23-24

23 The north wind brings forth rain,
         And a (A)backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
    24 It is (B)better to live in a corner of the roof
         Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

 

Proverbs 26:17-25

17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears
         Is he who passes by and meddles with
(A)strife not belonging to him.
    18 Like a madman who throws
         
(B)Firebrands, arrows and death,
    19 So is the man who
(C)deceives his neighbor,
         And says, "
(D)Was I not joking?"
    20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
         And where there is no
(E)whisperer, (F)contention quiets down.
    21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
         So is a
(G)contentious man to kindle strife.
    22 The
(H)words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
         And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
    23 Like an earthen
(I)vessel overlaid with silver (J)dross
         Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
    24 He who
(K)hates disguises it with his lips,
         But he lays up
(L)deceit in his heart.
    25 When he
(M)speaks graciously, do not believe him,
         For there are seven abominations in his heart.

 

Proverbs 26:28

28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
         And a
(A)flattering mouth works ruin.

 

Proverbs 27:1-2

1(A) Do not boast about tomorrow,
         For you
(B)do not know what a day may bring forth.
    2 Let
(C)another praise you, and not your own mouth;
         A stranger, and not your own lips.

 

Proverbs 27:5

5 Better is (A)open rebuke
         Than love that is concealed.

 

Proverbs 27:15-16

15 A (A)constant dripping on a day of steady rain
         And a contentious woman are alike;
    16 He who would restrain her restrains the wind,
         And grasps oil with his right hand.

 

Proverbs 28:23

23 He who (A)rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
         Than he who
(B)flatters with the tongue.

 

Proverbs 29:5

5 A man who (A)flatters his neighbor
         Is spreading a net for his steps.

 

Proverbs 29:11

11 A (A)fool always loses his temper,
         But a (B)wise man holds it back.

 

Proverbs 29:20

20 Do you see a man who is (A)hasty in his words?
         There is (B)more hope for a fool than for him.

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And these two verses tell what's wrong with political systems in general, ours, theirs, just about anyone's that accepts gifts (in our system that could be lobbyists funding elections):

Proverbs 19:6

6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

 

Proverbs 29:4

4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

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Thursday, November 1st is All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation.  Here's more information about it from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01315a.htm

"Solemnity celebrated on the first of November. It is instituted to honour all the saints, known and unknown, and, according to Urban IV, to supply any deficiencies in the faithful's celebration of saints' feasts during the year.

In the early days the Christians were accustomed to solemnize the anniversary of a martyr's death for Christ at the place of martyrdom. In the fourth century, neighbouring dioceses began to interchange feasts, to transfer relics, to divide them, and to join in a common feast; as is shown by the invitation of St. Basil of Caesarea (397) to the bishops of the province of Pontus. Frequently groups of martyrs suffered on the same day, which naturally led to a joint commemoration. In the persecution of Diocletian the number of martyrs became so great that a separate day could not be assigned to each. But the Church, feeling that every martyr should be venerated, appointed a common day for all. The first trace of this we find in Antioch on the Sunday after Pentecost. We also find mention of a common day in a sermon of St. Ephrem the Syrian (373), and in the 74th homily of St. John Chrysostom (407). At first only martyrs and St. John the Baptist were honoured by a special day. Other saints were added gradually, and increased in number when a regular process of canonization was established; still, as early as 411 there is in the Chaldean Calendar a "Commemoratio Confessorum" for the Friday after Easter. In the West Boniface IV, 13 May, 609, or 610, consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs, ordering an anniversary. Gregory III (731-741) consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter to all the saints and fixed the anniversary for 1 November. A basilica of the Apostles already existed in Rome, and its dedication was annually remembered on 1 May. Gregory IV (827-844) extended the celebration on 1 November to the entire Church. The vigil seems to have been held as early as the feast itself. The octave was added by Sixtus IV (1471-84). "

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Weekly reflections (from St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church) on the readings for today (Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14):

Sirach 35:12-14,16-18

12
For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.
13
3 Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
14
He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint;
15
Do not the tears that stream down her cheek cry out against him that causes them to fall?
16
He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.
17
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
18
Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

6 For I am already being (O)poured out as a drink offering, and the time of (P)my departure has come.

 7(Q) I have fought the good fight, I have finished (R)the course, I have kept (S)the faith;

 8 in the future there (T)is laid up for me (U)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on (V)that day; and not only to me, but also to (W)all who have loved His (X)appearing.

16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; (AN)may it not be counted against them.

 17 But the Lord stood with me and (AO)strengthened me, so that through me (AP)the proclamation might be (AQ)fully accomplished, and that all (AR)the Gentiles might hear; and I was (AS)rescued out of (AT)the lion's mouth.

 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will (AU)bring me safely to His (AV)heavenly kingdom; (AW)to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee and the Publican
 9 And He also told this parable to some people who (A)trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and (B)viewed others with contempt:

 10 "Two men (C)went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

 11 "The Pharisee (D)stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

 12 'I (E)fast twice a week; I (F)pay tithes of all that I get.'

 13 "But the tax collector, (G)standing some distance away, (H)was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but (I)was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'

 14 "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; (J)for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

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Weekly Reflections from St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church on above verses:

"We like to think of ourselves as good people.  We go to Church, keep the Ten Commandments, pay our bills, and try to avoid temptations - unlike "some" people we know.  There is the trap!  Try as we might, there is always room for improvement and most of us, if we are honest, have some pretty serious faults that need work.  Being a Christian is not a contest.  We cannot earn nor win a heavenly reward - Christ has already taken care of that for us.  Comparing ourselves to others is not just a useless exercise, it puts us in danger of the sin of pride.  God loves each one of us as we are right now with all our virtues and with all our faults.  The only measure we should use to gauge our progress is the Gospel and the example of Jesus.  How are you "measuring up"?"

"I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be ever in my mouth." - Psalm 34:2