INTRODUCTION

 Over the next few years I will be taking my readers on a journey through the New Testament Gospels of the four Evangelists. A lot of people do not have the time to read Scripture on a regular basis nor read long blogs.  I will try to keep these short.  I begin with the Gospel of Matthew.  Look to future blogs this year that will begin with Gospel of Matthew…..

MATTHEW 3:13-17

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

REFLECTION:

John the Baptist baptism is a baptism of repentance. John is hesitant to baptize Jesus because he recognizes Jesus is the Lamb of God in no need of forgiveness. But John obeys Jesus’ will even if he doesn’t fully understand the request.  Are we ready to do the same when Jesus asks something of us?

Jesus knows how important it is to human beings to set examples.  No one but John had any true insight into who Jesus is.  Jesus insists John baptizes Him so others may imitate Him in the baptism of repentance…

Repent and believe in the Gospel…

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus takes on the sins of the world… sin has no more dominion over mankind…we now can repent too and have our sins washed clean, thanks to Jesus…He has shown us the way!

The Spirit of God descended like a dove in blessing and affirmation…a Savior is here….The Father affirms the Son’s mission…”This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased…

Thank you, Jesus, for being my Savior…help me turn to you and away from sin…help me to know my mission in this life and accept it so that I may come home to you, the Father, and the Holy Spirit for all eternity…Amen

BACKGROUND

Temptations are not sins but can be strong invitation to sin where our will and God’s will clash.  Temptations can also be a tool of the devil to wear us down to the point we throw up our hands and make some excuse for saying yes to the devil.  We must pray daily for the graces we need to say no to the devil and yes to God.  Part of the prayer Jesus taught us, the Our Father, is a plea to not let us fall to temptation but deliver us from evil. Jesus is tempted three times and then the devil leaves Him.  “Resist the devil and he will flee.” James 4:7  Just like physical exercise builds up our physical strength, choosing the will of God over Satan builds up our spiritual strength.

The first temptation appealed to Jesus’ hunger.  Hunger is not evil per se, for without it, we would perish.  But here is the deal, Jesus was led specifically into the desert to fast and pray to prepare for his mission from God the Father.  The devil tries to draw Jesus into the sin of yielding to His hunger and using His power inappropriately. Jesus is tempted to set aside His call, to serve Himself, rather than to glorify His Father.

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 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.”

“Look,” the devil seems to say, the whole city will see it, you swooped up by angels before you hit ground, you will win all the hearts, this is a better way than God’s way. The devil was appealing to human concupiscence of pride and vain glory. Man’s ways are not always God’s ways. Let’s remember Jesus the Word Incarnate was born in a stable with little fanfare except in a Shepherds field.

It is important to trust God, as inferred by the devil in this temptation, but this is not an invitation to presumption that God will act according to our wishes and to act recklessly. Jesus must act to preserve and protect His life so that he can accomplish His full mission.

Many, today, think, “I can use drugs without becoming addicted. I can have evil friends and still stay good and live morally. I can skip school and still get good grades. I can be promiscuous and won’t get a disease or become pregnant. etc.   Many presume that no matter what they do, Heaven is still assured.  Do not be deceived; God clearly warns us that sin hardens our hearts and makes our final conversion increasingly unlikely.  God is not mocked.  For whatever a man sows so shall he reap!

Finally, the devil took Jesus up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” 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.”

Everything is offered to Jesus in exchange for a little worship of the devil. It may seem strange to us that having an abundance of things would be linked to worshiping the devil and forsaking God; but Scripture attests to this connection elsewhere:  “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money Matt 6:24. For where a man’s treasure is, there is his heart Matt 6:21.

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 4:1-11 JESUS IS TEMPTED IN THE DESERT

 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” 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.'”

 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, 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.'” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'”

 Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” 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.'” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

“Get away, Satan!

the Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'”

 REFLECTION

 Jesus, Human and Divine….Like us in every way but sin, Jesus is tempted in the desert…. We too are tempted in the desert of our souls…Jesus’ temptations are similar to what we face every day…tempted to pleasure, the flesh, …tempted to pride that  we are in control…and tempted to power to rule the world

 Do I fortify myself like Jesus with prayer and fasting…fasting means much more than not eating food…do I fast from making judgments…do I fast from anger, from unkind thoughts and words…. do I deny myself and choose God’s holy will over mine… do I seek power and glory for myself…or give all glory to God who is all Good and provider of all……All we are and all we have is a gift from God….how do we show our gratitude…

 PRAYER

Lord God, Almighty have mercy on me, a sinner.  Without your help I am helpless in facing temptation…You have promised us the graces we need to resist if we would only turn to you in humility, acknowledge our weaknesses and beg for your mercy.  Teach me to be humble, receive your gifts with gratitude and share with others.  I know your gifts are not meant for me alone and no one gets to heaven by themselves. Let me be an instrument of yours by proclaiming the Gospel when it is easy and when it is hard, in Jesus’ name, I pray!

SERMON ON THE MOUNT CHAPTER 6

BACKGROUND

Lent is a season devoted to prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  In Chapter 5 of Matthew, we dealt with fasting.  Now in Chapter 6 we will focus on prayer and almsgiving. This Third week of Lent we concentrate on the life giving waters God gives us to restore and heal us.  We must detach ourselves from things of this world and attach ourselves to things of eternity.  After all, that is where we will spend the rest of our lives. There is not a better time to prepare! “Now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2

TEACHING ABOUT ALMSGIVING.

Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them… When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. MATTHEW 6:1-9

THE WIDOWS MITE

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on”

 REFLECTION

 When we make sacrifices like almsgiving, it should be between us and God. It is in the heart and mind that determines whether an act is out of love for God or self serving.  Alms giving need not be only money;  it can be other acts of charity such as donations of food, clothing, and other supplies.

When  I think of almsgiving I think of how Jesus pointed out to his disciples the generosity of the widow pictured above, not giving of her surplus, but giving from her poverty.  Be generous, give until it hurts at least a little.  Detach yourself from your “goods” that you may be free to attach yourself to the greater good! GOD!

TEACHING ABOUT PRAYER.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

 “This is how you are to pray Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.  MATTHEW 6:9-15

THE LORD’S PRAYER

REFLECTION

Like He did with almsgiving, Jesus reminds folks don’t go around and make a spectacle of yourself so others can see you are praying and think well of you.  Remember the Pharisee and publican in the temple. The publican knelt in the rear beating his breast and asking for mercy on him for his sins.  The publican, not the Pharisee, went home satisfied.

When we pray don’t babble on.  God knows what we need and how best to deliver it to us.  If you don’t know what you need, tell God that, and ask Him for what you need most.

In the prayer Jesus taught us, first, we honor and worship God the Father, then we ask for material and spiritual nourishment, daily bread. In concusion we ask that our sins be forgiven and for the grace to forgive those who offend us, that we withstand temptation, and be delivered from final damnation.(the evil one)

 TREASURE IN HEAVEN.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.  MATTHEW 6:19-21

WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, SO WILL YOUR HEART BE

 REFLECTION

 In this teaching Jesus warns us that all material goods will fade away, be lost, be destroyed, rust out, run out, not be available to us due to circumstances beyond our control.  Only God remains reliable and steady. Jesus promises, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2

What do I treaure?  Will it get me to one of those dwelling places Jesus promised.? Where is my heart?  What role does God play in my life?  Try attaching yourself to God’s will. Thy will be done!  While it may hurt a little to surpress my wants, it makes it a lot easier to make decisions, not my will, but thy will be done! It can bring peace to an otherwise turbulent soul.

 DEPENDENCE ON GOD.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them…

 Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.  Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.  MATTHEW 6:25-34

 SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

 REFLECTION

I focus on a couple messages in this teaching of Jesus.  First,“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?”  NO!  We probably all know “worriers” or maybe we are one.  The Serenity Prayer may help: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

There lots of short prayers one might say like the Divine Mercy mantra, Jesus I Trust in You.  But I know prayer does not always provide immediate results.  If we orient our lives to placing God first in everything we do, it is easier to accept setbacks, failures, sufferings by asking God to take what you are going through and make it a redemptive act for the salvation of the world.

The second phrase that grabbed me is “Do not worry about tomorrow….Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”  How true that is.  Let me get through these 24 hours, one hour at a time, take it day by day, Jesus be my partner today.  Jesus, I place my trust in you, carry me when I can’t do it by myself.  Jesus take the wheel!

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.  In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

INTRODUCTION

Jesus heals us physically and spiritually.  We pray for healing of our body and soul.  We trust that God hears those prayers and answers every prayer in the way that is best for us and others.  All prayers are heard and answered. Trust in Jesus!

 SCRIPTURE

 MATTHEW 8:1-3 Cleansing of a Leper.

 When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper^* approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

REFLECTION

I am reminded of St. Francis of Assisi and his encounter with a leper. In Francis’ day a leper had to ring a bell and shout, “Unclean.” As Francis saw the leper approach his first reaction was horror, then he remembered the resolve he made to attain perfection. Francis dismounted his horse, kissed the leper, and gave him alms.

When he had remounted, he saw no one.  Filled with joy, Francis fell on his knees to thank God and made a firm resolution to gain even further perfection. In this decisive moment of illumination Francis suddenly perceived in this leper the embodiment of God’s beauty, a human being to be loved and cared for tenderly.

I would like to call attention to the Leper’s request of Jesus. Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”  The Leper recognized Jesus’ power and authority but assumed nothing.  “If you wish” Let us follow the Leper’s example, Not my will but thy will be done!

 SCRIPTURE

 MATTHEW 8:6-13 Curing of Centurion’s servant

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 

The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.  For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes…

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith….And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour (his) servant was healed.

 REFLECTION

 The first thing I am struck by is this Centurion, a Roman and pagan, asking Jesus to cure his servant. What kind of actual grace was going on here that the Centurion recognized Jesus’ authority?  Also, take note that the centurion was asking aid for another.  We all can pray for others beyond ourselves.

Jesus responds, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. The faith the centurion expressed here is brought forward into our Mass prior to receiving Holy Communion.  I am reminded that our salvation is totally dependent on God’s mercy.  I am not worthy but God in His mercy saves me and you too!

Jesus reminds us that FAITH can move mountains. Jesus says to the Centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.”  If only we had that faith and trust in God! “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” LUKE 18:7

SCRIPTURE

 MATTHEW 8:26-34 Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs.

When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us,^* Son of God?  Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.^*  

The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned.  The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs.  Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.

REFLECTION

This Scripture demonstrates both physical and spiritual healing. The two demoniacs cry out to Jesus, “What have you to do with us,^* Son of God?  Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time? Even those possessed had some insight into Jesus.  They seemed to have some sense of Jesus’ hour when he would crush the head of Satan and set His people free.  Can those possessed in sin see Jesus better than those of faith?

 The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go then!” The swine then ran over the cliff to their death.  Be careful what you ask of Jesus!  What irony that those possessed by the devil cooperate in their own destruction.  I guess that’s how sin works with us if we don’t repent and return to God. Sin will eventually lead to spiritual death!

The swine herders went into town to tell all the townspeople what just happened.  They all came out and begged Jesus to go!  Those townspeople blinded by their possessions and attachments miss the will of God to set them free. Unfortunately, Jesus could do no more there.  Let it not be so for us!  Cling to Jesus!

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 9:1-17 Call of Matthew

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.  While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.  Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’  I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” 

 ME, ARE YOU CALLING ME?

REFLECTION

We are all called and commissioned at our Baptism to be disciples.  I love this picture it is like Matthew is saying, “Who Me?  Yes, you and yes, us.  Jesus says, “Come follow me.  Do we follow Jesus as quickly as Matthew?

Jesus told those Pharisees, “I desire mercy not sacrifice.”  All the boasting about fasting and keeping the law does not equal mercy.  “Do not judge lest you be judged in the manner you judge.  We must show mercy and compassion to everyone we meet even those we may deem not worthy.

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 9:27-38 the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

SEND LABORERS INTO THE FIELDS

REFLECTION

So much to do, so few to do it.  All are called to witness and to evangelize including us!  We can do it in our homes, at our work, and where we recreate.  Or are we afraid to speak Truth to power?  Are we intimidated or embarrassed by others if we might find opposition to what we believe in our hearts and soul?

We must pray also for vocations to the priesthood.  Sacraments are essential.  It is the ordained in the Person of Christ that make the Sacraments possible. Jesus is expressed in a special way in the Sacraments on earth until we see Him face to face in the next life. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, let us pray for our shepherds on earth.

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 10:1-15 ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand

 Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness….. Jesus sent out these twelve  after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

 Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep.  Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace.  If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words–go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.  REPENT AND BE SAVED

 REFLECTION

Jesus sends out his disciples, “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  Cure the sick, raise the dead,……without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”  What does this mean to us modern day disciples?

It calls us to proclaim Jesus is Lord and King of Heaven and Earth.  The kingdom is present right now.  We are saved! We participate now in the kingdom in the Mystical Body of Christ.  We can share in divine life through the Sacraments a foreshadowing of what we will experience in the Beatific Vision in the next life.  We don’t have to wait for death to see God.  “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25

 “As you enter a house, wish it peace.  If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you…….We can bring blessings and peace to everyone we meet when configured to Christ. But not all will receive it.  Do not be discouraged move on and continue your witness in the name of Christ!

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 10:33-42 whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.  But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.  “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. 

For I have come to set a man ‘against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.’  “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE WILL FIND IT!

REFLECTION

“Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” This seems really weird for someone to say but this is JESUS and he is not weird.  So what do we make of it?  Well, if we are seeking in our life pride, power, fame, fortune, and pleasure for pleasure sake. If our life is filled with attachments in place of God?  If we care only for ourselves in this life…what then…..isn’t that kind of life worth losing!

Clinging to that  kind of life have consequences.  See Matthew 25 Judgement of Nations …..‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink….. I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’  Then Jesus will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”

Jesus, who is always offering Peace be with you throughout Scripture, especially after the Resurrection says in this passage He did not come to bring Peace.  What is that about?  Here peace refers to just going along with the world despite its dangerous temptations and consequences.  Jesus has come to challenge us.  Choose wisely!

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”  We must not love anything or anybody above God!  “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any other gods before me! FIRST COMMANDMENT

INTRODUCTION

All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation (of the world).”  MATTHEW 13:41-42

Jesus shared the truth of the parables with his disciples who are opened to the truth.  Their hearts are not ‘hardened.” Today, the Holy Spirit who moves where He wills does the same for us who are willing to hear the truth and follow it wherever it may lead.  Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Jesus praises the Father, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. … No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him…. MATTHEW 11:25-30

 SCRIPTURE

 MATTHEW 12:33-37 a tree and its fruits

 “Either declare^* the tree good and its fruit is good, or declare the tree rotten and its fruit is rotten, for a tree is known by its fruit.,,, A good person brings forth good out of a store of goodness, but an evil person brings forth evil out of a store of evil.  I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUITS

REFLECTION

By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” That alone is enough food for thought.  I better check the filter on my mouth.  One can do as much damage to another with their tongue as they can with any weapon.  Careless talk can hurt another.  Many a time I have had to call and apologize for something I said stupid to a friend or family member.

As a tree is known by its fruit so is a person.  What kind of person am I?  What fruits do I bear in my life?  How do I feed and nurture my family, my friends, the world? Will I receive Jesus’ blessing?  Or curse as He did to fig tree when He was hungry and looking for nourishment. The fig tree had lots of leaves and decorative appearance but no figs. Matthew 21:19

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 13:1-16 the sower and seed

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.  Such large crowds gathered around him….And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots.  Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.  But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirty fold.  Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

THE SOWER AND THE SEED

REFLECTION

God wills everyone’s salvation.  He loves all of us infinitely and wants us to be with Him forever and ever.  But God has given us free will.  He forces himself on no one. If we end up on judgment day in Hell it is because we willed it, not God.

In this parable I believe seed is a metaphor for “grace.” Grace is an intervention by God to enlighten the mind and strengthen the will to perform supernatural actions that lead to heaven.

The “seed” sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it. And is easily ignored.  Ignorance is not bliss.  We must pray and prepare to not only hear the word but really listen to it.  God’s word requires a response.

The “seed” sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.  But he has no root and lasts only for a time. Yes they are excited for a time but the attractions and distractions of the world soon take them to some other place, some other god.

The “seed” sown among thorns is God’s attempt to break through someone suffocated with addictions to greed and lust.  God’s word is choked in the victim’s heart and soul so that he can bear not good fruit but only sterility and death.

But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, And acts on it is my addition. May this be so for all of us that we may bear fruit a hundred fold like concentric circles in a lake moving out from our families to the whole world.  We may be a small pebble but we have a mighty God.

 SCRIPTURE

 MATTHEW 13:41-44 kingdom of heaven is a great treasure

 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.

         THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS A TREASURE  WORTH ANY PRICE

REFLECTION

What price are we willing to pay for the treasure of heaven???  Ask yourself what you are willing to give up?   What are you willing to give?  You know athletes and others, of course, give up a lot to achieve their goals.  Is there a higher or more lasting goal than heaven? Really how hard are the commandments to keep?  They are the source of happiness and wellness in this life and our path to heaven as well, a priceless possession.

We can do it.  Anything is possible with God.  God chose the weak to shame the strong!  God did not call the equipped but equipped the called!  Remember, Peter was a sinful man who denied Jesus three times but repented and returned to Jesus to become Prime Minister of His Church!  All it takes on our part is the willingness to say yes, thy will be done, not mine!

 SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 13:24-42 the evil one sows seeds of evil

“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.  When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ 

 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’  He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them.  Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds, tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

“He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil.

The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.  The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.  They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

THE ENEMY SOWS WEEDS

 REFLECTION

 Kind of scary scripture here, are we weeds or wheat?  Choose now because at death the choice is made.  There are no do overs.  At our personal judgment upon death our fate will be evaluated by Jesus, the just Judge.

What do you think of the Master’s advice to his slaves to let weeds and wheat grow together until harvest time?  That’s a tough one for most people.

Many people, including myself, at times asks why God hasn’t taken vengeance on this evil world.  Well, I suggest it is because He is God and we are not! God loves the good, the bad, and the ugly without exception. God gives up on no one!

SCRIPTURE

 MARK 12:1-9

Parable of the Tenants.

He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed.

 He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’

But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’

So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What [then] will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others.

THIS IS THE HEIR COME LET US KILL HIM AND THE INHERITANCE WILL BE OURS!

 REFLECTION

God created the world and set mankind stewards of this world.  We are the tenants tending to God’s vineyard. God gave his tenants guidelines, commandments, for how to care for this world and each other.  God sent teachers and prophets into his vineyard, many rebuffed and even killed.

God saw this was not working out so well and we wouldn’t get it right on our own so He sent his only begotten Son. Surely He would be accepted but no, the religious leaders and pagan leaders of the time crucified Him.

Before His death, Jesus wept over Jerusalem. .“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Matthew 23:37

Jesus the Christ rose from the dead and Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and throughout the whole world even to today. The Holy Spirit moves where it wills!   Many are called but few are chosen.  “Just as in the time of Noah so it will be in the coming of the Son of Man.” Luke 17:26 

When the LORD saw how great the wickedness of human beings was on earth, and how every desire that their heart conceived was always nothing but evil. The LORD regretted making human beings on the earth, and his heart was grieved. So the LORD said: I will wipe out from the earth the human beings I have created…. But Noah found favor with the LORD….Genesis 6:5-8

 The wicked will be dispensed with in the coming of the Son of Man on Judgment day. Let us be good and faithful stewards that we may hear, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Father.”

SCRIPTURE

 MARK 12:13-16

Paying Taxes to the Emperor

They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to him to ensnare him in his speech.  They came and said to him, Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?”

Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s. Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.

RENDER TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S

 REFLECTION

 Some Pharisees and Herodians came to trick Jesus.   “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” They want to trap Jesus in no win question that will either make him an enemy of Rome or an enemy of his Jewish followers who are oppressed by Rome. Jesus replies, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a coin.”

Jesus answers their question with a question, “Whose image is on the coin.”  Stunned they answer Caesar.  Jesus says give to Caesar what is Caesars (coins) and to God what is God’s (everything else) including our bodies and souls.

We are all made in the image and likeness of God. “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female^* he created them.” Genesis 1:7 God not only stunned the Herodians and Pharisees but gives us a stunning message as well. Give to God what is God’s.  Pray about it.

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength. Take to heart these words which I command you today. Keep repeating them to your children. Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up…Deuteronomy 6:4-7

SCRIPTURE

MARK 12:41-44

The Poor Widow’s Contribution.^*

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

 SHE GAVE ALL THAT SHE HAD!

REFLECTION

I am reminded of the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple.  While the Pharisee boasted in front how great he was, the tax collector knelt in back beating his breast, “O God be merciful to me a sinner!”  Jesus tells his disciples the tax collector was the one who went home justified.  “The one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

Jesus points out to his disciples the widow who places a few coins the treasury.  She gave not from her surplus but from the heart.  In material possessions, the widow returns to God her heart and devotion.

This widow is a model to us all.  She is humble and acknowledges all that she has comes from God and in return she will share what she has with God and the temple treasury, God’s house.  This is how she gives back. Though small in the eyes of the world, God sees her heart and ours too.

What do we give back to God? What should we give back to God?  What do we have that God hasn’t given to us?  Yes, our sins.  May God have mercy on us and forgive us our sins!  Heavenly Father and giver of all good things, give us your grace to be merciful and generous with each other as you are generous and merciful.