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.

 

 

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 14:13-21 the Feeding of the Five Thousand.

When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves. Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.

But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over^*—twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand.

JESUS BLESSES THE LOAVES, BROKE THE LOAVES, FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND

REFLECTION

The apostles came to Jesus and asked how are we going to feed this crowd?  Kind of weird question to ask of Jesus after seeing all his miracles but anyway they were slow like we are sometimes to trust in Jesus. But they obeyed Jesus when he asked them to bring the little they had.  Jesus can work with little.  He works with us doesn’t He?  I hope we obey Jesus promptly like the apostles did in this case.

How hungry we are for nourishment, spiritual and otherwise!  The feeding of 5000 foreshadows Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist, the Bread of Life Jesus’ own body and blood, soul and divinity,  that is Life eternal.  Seek not things and gods of this earth but seek eternal life and the heavenly kingdom without end.

God knows what we need physically and materially but He wants us to ask for the Spirit that perseveres and inundates us with Divine Life right here on earth. Jesus blessed the loaves, broke the loaves, distributed the loaves so should we in our daily life bless ourselves and others and share with others the gift of divine life shared with us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 14:22-23 the Walking on the Water.

Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.

Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night,^* he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.

At once, Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I;^* do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith,^* why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

LORD SAVE ME

 REFLECTION

In the beginning of this reading Jesus went off by himself to pray.  Do we have that special place to pray, to prepare for the day, to ask assistance in troubled times, to thank God for the blessings of the day.

Jesus seeing his disciples in distress of a threatening storm, walks out on the water again manifesting his almighty power over nature and all things.  Jesus is second person of Blessed Trinity and Almighty God!

Jesus tells his disciples, “Take courage it is I!” Jesus here assumes the name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. I AM WHO AM.  I am existence itself I Am.

Peter, self-assured and sometimes fool hardy, says Lord if it you, command me to come to you on the water. Now I don’t know if Peter was testing Jesus or not, but Jesus met the challenge and said Come!

So far so good until Peter got distracted by material things like the wind and took his eyes off Jesus.  Peter began to sink and cried out, “Lord save me!”

Of course, Jesus pulled Peter up from the depths of despair like He can do for us if we call upon Him. Or will we hear Jesus say, “Oh you of little faith!” I hope not, pray that you will call on Jesus in times of trouble and thank and praise Him for all His blessings.

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 15:21-28 the Canaanite Woman’s Faith.

Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children^* and throw it to the dogs.”

She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith!^* Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

O WOMAN GREAT IS YOUR FAITH!

 REFLECTION

First, some background, the Land of Canaan was promised to the Israelites to be a holy nation that would influence all the pagan nations around them and bring them to the one true God.

God did not choose Israel as His Holy Nation because they were better than anyone else but chose them to teach and form.  After all, it took 400 years for them to enter the Promise Land.

God instructed Israel to wipe out all Canaanites living in the land because they have corrupted and perverted God’s truth.  God did not want any remnants to remain, knowing how easily the Israelites were influenced by Egypt’s pagan ways.

Throughout the Old Testament the promised Messiah was to gather the lost sheep of Israel. “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray”… Jerimiah 50:6. Jesus was confirming to the Canaanite woman that He is the long awaited Messiah promise to Israel but still because of the woman’s great faith cures this Gentile’s daughter at that hour.  His hour had come again!

Do we push people away those who are different, have different beliefs, look different, like the apostles in this instance or do bear witness and share our faith with everyone.  Faith is fragile and a gift. Not everyone has been gifted with the same faith.  Pray that your faith may be strengthened and gifted to others. Which do we want to hear from Jesus, “Oh you of little Faith!” or “Oh great is your Faith!”

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 16:13-20 Peter’s Confession about Jesus.^*

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi^* he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist,^* others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood^* has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.^* Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

YOU ARE THE MESSIAH THE SON OF GOD

 REFLECTION

Caesarea Philippi where this scripture takes place is interesting in that it was center of pagan worship at time of Jesus. The ancient Canaanites worshiped there, and later the Greeks built a shrine there dedicated to the God Pan, God of fertility.  Many pagan gods were worshiped here, including Baal. Jesus, the Son of the living God chose this place to reveal the one true God, putting to shame all other gods who have no ears to hear or mouths to speak!

The title Son of Man is recorded in many books of Old Testament. For example, Book of Daniel 7:13-14 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and …his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away…

Son of Man is Jesus’s favorite title for himself, used over 80 times in New Testament to refer to himself.

Book of Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Why did Jesus refer to himself that way?  Jesus had a lot of teaching to do in His public ministry and it was a lot safer than to call himself the Messiah. I believe He also wanted us to know that He was truly MAN, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mother Mary.  He, being human and divine, can be our Savior and atone for sin.

 Jesus asks His disciples directly, WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?  There is that I AM again, it’s like he is giving them a hint.  Peter steps forward and bears witness, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Are we willing to step boldly forward and bear witness to the Truth?   It may be difficult and there are consequences. Look at the heavy burden He placed on Peter’s shoulders. Blessed are you, Simon…  For flesh and blood^* has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,^*

Wow! Upon this rock, you, Peter, I will build my Church.  I know you will deny me, Peter, but you will come back to me and bear stronger witness than ever!   Lord you know that I love you! John 21:17 (Peter)

Who do we say Jesus is?  To know about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus.  We must get close like the disciples did.  We are all called to be disciples. We see time and time again that God chooses people like Peter. God doesn’t call the equipped; he equips the called. Thanks be to God!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 17:1-8 the Transfiguration of Jesus.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 

 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.  But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

 REFLECTION

 A few days before Jesus’ glory on Mount Tabor, he taught the apostles what kind of Messiah he was, ““The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me..”  Luke 9:22

So before going to Jerusalem, Jesus gives them a “glimpse of His glory.” He was telling them and us if we just persevere along the Way there is a spectacular pay off! Like Peter when we see the Beatific vision, we will say, “It is good that we are here!!

We have appearing with Jesus, Moses, receiver of the Law, and Elijah, the Prophet.  Jesus is the new Moses, the giver of the Law in the Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-12) and the fulfillment of the Prophets.

We have in this Scripture reading once again the symbol of God the Father, a cloud, how often is God represented as a cloud in the Old Testament.  He certainly hovered over Israel on their way to the land of “milk and honey.”  And in the New Testament at Jesus’ Baptism.

Look for that cloud in our lives, God is there always!  God speaks to the disciples and us, “This is my beloved Son; Listen to Him.”  Do we listen, really listen, take in what is said  and say yes to God?

The Scripture concludes with Jesus telling the apostles, “…do not be afraid.”  Again how many times in the Gospels does Jesus tell us to fear not.  Why do we still let fear be a distraction, a divider between people, a cause of violence and despair? Trust in Jesus!

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 18:1-6 the Greatest in the Kingdom

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

REFLECTION

So many Scripture passages of Jesus loving and protecting little children.  Better to have a millstone put around your neck and plunged into the depths of the sea than lead a child into sin!  Matthew 18:6

Today we have the grossest of all assaults on children in child pornography and sex trafficking.  What is wrong with us?   We must oppose these practices in every way possible.  We kill  children in the womb and outside the womb in a failed abortion.  What is wrong with us?

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. “Jesus, of course, doesn’t mean a change in age no more than He did to Nicodemas when Jesus told him he had to be “born again.” John 3:4

The term “turn” here means to turn away from your selfishness and iniquity and back to God….to be as innocent as a child who trusts in their parent to care for them. A child returns love for love.  Who loves us more than God?  Count our blessings

 REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL!

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 18:21-35 the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.  That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 

 When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.  Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.

At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master let him go and forgave him the loan. 

 When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount.  He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, Pay back what you owe. Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt.

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned the” unforgiving” servant and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’

 Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.  So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart. ”

REFLECTION

“Forgive and you will be forgiven. but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mathew 6:15

How am I at forgiving others? This does not mean the offense is forgotten or it wasn’t an offense but it means I must love those who do me harm or wish me harm.

Also, I might add how many times do we perceive intentional harm when none was intended but our pride and judgment filters make an adversarial situation out of nothing.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:43

Wow, that’s a lot to ask but don’t we claim to be disciples of Jesus?  From the cross Jesus said to the Father, “Forgive them for they know not what they do!? No cross, no glory!

When Jesus told Peter not seven times do you forgive but seventy seven times he did not mean you could slap a person around that offended you seventy-eight times.  The number seventy-seven is a metaphor for infinity.  So lets stop counting!

How awesome is our God!  The picture above with servant begging for mercy is me!  Like the song says, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” The apostles asked Jesus, “Then who can be saved? Jesus answered, with people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26

 PRAISE GOD! HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 19:1-12 Marriage and Divorce.

Jesus was in the district of Judea across the Jordan when some Pharisees approached him and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?”  He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.

They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss [her]?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.  I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.”

His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” Jesus answered, “Not all can accept this word,^* but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”

REFLECTION

 “…from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

Jesus recognizes that Moses did what he had to do because of the hardness of heart of the stiff necked people who were killing their wives and abandoning them to be left marginalized and poor.  But Jesus makes clear that from the very beginning this was not God’s intent.

Jesus admits to his disciples marriage may not be for everyone. “.Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”

In the Creation story in Genesis, God saw all was good. Genesis 1:31 Then God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. Genesis 2:18 Man was not made for solitude but communion in the image of God.  God is love in relationship with the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

At the beginning, Adam and Eve shared a particular understanding of their bodies as gifts. They understood the gift-giving “nuptial” meaning of their complimentary bodies. Adam and Eve affirmed each other’s masculinity and femininity.  Sexual relationship is a powerful bond established by the Creator.

Sex is far more than just a biological drive. In becoming one flesh, husband and wife are no longer two separate individuals but expand the meaning of self. They are now a communion of persons. The body, through its masculinity and femininity, makes this communion possible.

Man and woman were created in ”Original Justice or Holiness” After breaking their covenant with God, Adam and Eve experience their bodies differently—for the first time, they become conscious of their nakedness and are ashamed. Genesis 3:7

Adam and Eve’s sin for them and for us left us in a mess of trouble, weakened will, darkened intellect, and adversarial relationship with all of creation including man and woman.  Domestic disputes! What a mess!  Thank God for a Redeemer who won for us victory over sin and death.

Adam and Eve were created to live in unity and harmony. . From the beginning, the male and female bodies were created to form a deep unity. Even in our fallen world, this remains God’s design for marriage.

To the extent men and women live together in love, man and woman become a picture of the inner life of God. This might be the most amazing thing that we can say about marriage

 

SCRIPTURE

 The Workers in the Vineyard.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just. So they went off. [And] he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ 

 When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first. When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’

 He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?  Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

AM I NOT FREE TO BE GENEROUS

REFLECTION

The landowner (God) when He saw people sitting idly by late in the day, he sent them into the vineyard.  It is never too late to enter the kingdom or preach the kingdom to others.  Don’t assume anything, don’t judge others, do the Jesus thing and approach all with compassion….the harvest is great but the laborers few.

Laborers in the vineyard complained that other (Johnny come latelys) were rewarded too.  Are we going to complain to God that some late in life came to Him? I hope not!  There is a suitable room in God’s mansion that is just right for us.  Trust God!  God loved us into being and there will be no lack of anything in heaven.

Let’s do a gut check.  Am I envious of others?  Do I diminish or demean others to make myself look better?  Do I complain to God about the so called success of those I perceive as wicked?  Judge not less you be judged in the same manner.  Judging others is an obstacle to showing them love and compassion, failing the second greatest commandment to love our neighbor.

 SCRIPTURE

 The Cleansing of the Temple.

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.  And he said to them, “It is written: ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’^*but you are making it a den of thieves.” The blind and the lame^* approached him in the temple area, and he cured them.

When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wondrous things he was doing, and the children crying out in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant and said to him, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; and have you never read the text, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nurslings you have brought forth praise’?” And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany, and there he spent the night.

MY HOUSE SHALL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER

 REFLECTION

 Sometimes I feel we need to have a cleansing of the temple because of all the abuses in liturgy since Vatican II.  Most of the abuses have been by free lancers and not dictated by Vatican II. I speak of Priests saying Mass facing the congregation instead of facing the tabernacle. (ad orientum).

Removal of statues and down playing devotions that were in common practice, especially Marian devotions. The kiss of peace going off the rails and people in congregation holding hands, or lifting up their arms during the Our Father.

Liturgical prayer is prayer that is intended to unite us and it does do this on a spiritual level.  But the external unity is also important.  Therefore, it’s important that we strive to pray in union with what we call the rubrics of the Mass. As for the rubrics at the time of the Lord’s Prayer, there is no instruction given to the congregation to hold hands or to lift them at that time

Some priests celebrating Mass deviate from the rubrics (a rule for conduct of a liturgical service) and make up their own prayers because they like their way better than the Church’s liturgical guidelines.  For example, Washing of hands instead of feet at Holy Thursday liturgy.  After all the only one washing his hands during Holy Week was Pilate!

Early on, after Vatican II we had Dancers bringing down the gifts at the Offertory and other experimental displays.  Today, Priests offering hosts on platters during this pandemic where you come up after Mass and pick your own “Jesus.”  The laity is never to take the host for themselves.  It is always given to them!  Enough Already!

My house shall be a house of prayer, Chief priests and scribes were shocked at the praise Jesus was receiving from those in need, the blind and lame.  “Hosanna to the Son of David,” Chief priests and scribes, wrong-headed again in their pride believing their rules and regulations were superior to attending to the needs of the people.

The Pharisees neglected to care for the needy and the weak. Jesus admonished them because their hearts were not right. They were filled with pride and contempt for others. They put unnecessary burdens on others while neglecting to show charity, especially to the weak and the poor.  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Matthew 23:13

SCRIPTURE

The Parable of the Tenants.

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.  But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned.

Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance. They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered^* him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the scriptures:  The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone….

Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. The one who falls on this stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.  When the chief priests and the Pharisees^* heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

THIS IS THE HEIR.  COME, LET US KILL HIM AND ACQUIRE HIS INHERITANCE

REFLECTION

The servants sent by landowner are like the Prophets of old sent by God to convert his people,  to call them back from pagan gods.  Many prophets were stoned, persecuted and martyred. Amos, Obediah,  Elijah, Jerimiah, Micah, and Ezekial to name a few.

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

This Scripture also reminds me of Joseph and his brothers that sold Joseph into slavery. “Here comes that dreamer,’ they said to one another. “Come on, let us kill him now and throw him down one of the storage-wells; we can say that some wild animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams.” Genesis 37:19-20

As it turned out God, as always, brought good out of evil.  Joseph ends up in Pharoah’s court in Egypt and saves his Father and brothers from a devastating famine in Canaan.

You know, there are some things you just can’t kill. The Holy Spirit moves where it wills!  The religious leaders of the Jews had Christ executed on the Cross.  Jesus the Christ rose from the dead and Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and throughout the whole world even to today.

SCRIPTURE

Paying Taxes to the Emperor.^*

Then the Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech. They sent their disciples to him, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”

Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin.  He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”  They replied, Caesar’s. 

At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” When they heard this they were amazed, and leaving him they went away.

RENDER TO CAESAR WHAT IS CAESAR’S AND TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S

REFLECTION

Those sneaky, deceitful Pharisees are at it again.  They thought they would get Jesus this time.  If Jesus said it was lawful to pay taxes, his Jewish followers would have been all over Jesus for supporting the Roman oppressors.  If Jesus said no don’t pay your taxes then He would be an enemy of Rome, an insurrectionist and executed as a traitor.

Really, trying to outsmart God, the Word Incarnate!  Well, they got their come uppance and left with their tails between their legs.  Don’t pull on superman’s cape!  Jesus not only stunned the Pharisees but delivered a message to all of us. Give to God what is God’s.  That is pretty much everything! Think about it.

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 1:27 God is Creator of all.  God has provided all the material things we need for food, shelter, and air we breathe.

“God blessed them and said to them: Be fertile and multiply…See, I give you every seed-bearing plant on all the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food and to all the wild animals, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the earth, I give all the green plants for food. And so it happened.” Genesis 1:28-30

 Catechism of the Catholic Church #2402 In the beginning God entrusted the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits. The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race

God has called man to be stewards of what he has made.  Are we good stewards of God’s gifts? Do we respect and honor creation?  Do we use well what God has given us for the works of our hands?  Whether it is material goods we use to build or repair or food we eat.  Do we hunt for food or sport? Do we have more than we need or share with those who have less than they need?

 

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE Matthew 23:1-6

Woe to scribes and Pharisees 

 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice…. All their works are performed to be seen. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’….

 The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven^* before human beings…..

 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

WOE TO YOU SCRIBES AND PHARISEES

REFLECTION

Woe to Scribes and Pharisees….this warning from Jesus is to us if we behave as they do…do we bear witness to the truth in words and deeds or do we say one thing  to our children like go to Mass and then we go golfing…or tell our children what to watch and we are watching and reading pornography. Be careful, children are watching!

All their works are performed to be seen.  Do we go to Church every Sunday, lector, give our communion, usher etc then the other six days of the week act like pagans by gossiping uncharitably  about our neighbor and act abusive to family members…

The greatest among you must be your servant….Jesus washed the dirty feet of His apostles at the Last Supper…Jesus showed us the Way…Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life…We are here to serve others…love is service….God is love and those who love are acting in His very image

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  I have nothing to exhalt myself about…all I own are my sins…God is good…I am not…humbly ask for mercy and forgiveness then God will restore us and exhalt us by taking us into His kingdom

You are like whitewashed toms which appear beautiful on the outside but inside full of dead men  bones….how are we doing….are we clean and beautiful inside, if not why not…what will we do about it….how about that little whisper from the Spirit otherwise known as a conscience…have we shut it down with noise and distractions…if so let’s get rid of that pollution and clean up our act.. Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” Mark 4:9

 SCRIPTURE Matthew 23:37

The Lament over Jerusalem

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned, desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

JESUS LAMENTS OVER JERUSALEM

REFLECTION

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you…In the parable of the rich man in Hades, he begs Father Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers that they may not end up in torment Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them…. Luke 16:27 Jesus tells his people all the chances they have had to embrace God instead of false idols….How many more warnings do we get… Choose God…Choose Life!

how many times I yearned to gather you children as a hen gathers her young under her wings…Jesus wants to hold us close, let Him…separation from Jesus is a disaster…have you ever separated yourself from Jesus for a long period of time….how did that work out for you…

Jesus weeps over His chosen people…”t was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit…John 15:16 …..it is not us that initiate contact with God but God who initiates contact with us through the Spirit….pray for the Spirit of the Lord to come and dwell in you…that you may be saved

SCRIPTURE Matthew 24:3-28

 The Beginning of calamities, the great tribulation.

As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives,^* the disciples approached him privately and said, “Tell us, when will this happen, and what sign will there be of your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus said to them in reply, “See that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. You will hear of wars^* and reports of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end. 

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place.  All these are the beginning of the labor pains. Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name.  And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved….

If anyone says to you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.  False messiahs and false prophets will arise… I have told it to you beforehand. So if they say to you, ‘He is in the desert,’ do not go out there; if they say, ‘He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.^*  For just as lightning comes from the east and extends to the west so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

The Unknown Day and Hour.

 …that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,^* but the Father alone. For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In [those] days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come…if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.  So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not  expect, the Son of Man will come.

THEREFORE STAY AWAKE  FOR YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE LORD WILL COME

REFLECTION

In this discourse with his disciples, Jesus is asked about end times…His reply could refer to  destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD or the end of the world and second coming of Jesus.

…there will be famines and earthquakes… they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. many will be led into sin;… many false prophets will arise and deceive many;

We certainly feel like we are in end times and maybe we are.  “But for that day and hour only God the Father knows.” Mark 13:32 And that is okay because we have been given the heads up to always be prepared.  Are we?  Are we prepared to meet our maker, today!

Our so called “prophets” today are celebrities, talk show hosts, athletes that  support the ways of the world….what is the cool thing to do….hang out…have sex with anyone you can hook up with…smoke weed…eat, drink, and be merry…no mention of God or authority outside ourselves.  If it feels good do it!

That takes me to Jesus’ parable of the rich fool…“I shall say to myself, as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong. Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.” Luke 12:19

No one takes a trailer of his possessions with him to the sweet bye and bye!  Keep your eyes on the Real Prize!  “For where your treasure is so also will your heart be” Matthew 6:21Our hearts are restless until they rest in God!  Embrace God! Choose Life!

 Because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved

MATTHEW 24:12