GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 19

GOSPEL OF JOHN

SCRIPTURE JOHN 19:1-7

THE SCOURAGING AND CROWNING WITH THORNS

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him. So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak.

BEHOLD THE MAN!

And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”

REFLECTION

Behold the Man! “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness  and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” Philippians 2:6-7

God becoming man to save us! “What is man that you are mindful of him? Psalms 8:5

SCRIPTURE JOHN 19:8-16

PILATE HANDS JESUS OVER FOR CRUCIFIXION

Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, and went back into the Praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” Jesus answered [him], “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”  When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him* on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

SHALL I CRUCIFY YOUR KING?

It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon.* And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

REFLECTION

 “We have no king but Caesar.”  What are the Caesars in our lives that we may put before God?  Is Jesus truly the king that we worship and serve foremost?  Do we really reflect on and mean the words of the prayer Jesus taught us, “….thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”?

SCRIPTURE JOHN 19:17-30

THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS.

 So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.  Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews. Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,” in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled [that says]: “They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots This is what the soldiers did.

JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED 1 CORINTHIANS 2:2

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother* and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son. ”Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled,* Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished. And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

 REFLECTION

 “Bowing His head He gave up His spirit….” Jesus completes the Father’s mission of redemption. The gates of heaven are unlocked. We are given the Way, the Truth, and the Life, in Jesus Christ crucified. ….. keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith  Hebrews 12:2. We too may enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Pray we may hurdle any roadblocks and make straight the path from any detours.

SCRIPTURE JOHN 19:31-42

DEATH AND BURIAL OF JESUS

 Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, sbut one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows* that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may [come to] believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: “Not a bone of it will be broken.” And again another passage says: “They will look upon him whom they have pierced.”

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds.

JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.

REFLECTION

Jesus is now laid to rest as we all will one day.  Jesus will rise from the dead in glory from mission accomplished.  We pray one day we too rise from the dead to our heavenly home.

“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

 

GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 20

1 Comment / GOSPEL OF JOHN

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:1-10

THE EMPTY TOMB.

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.  So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.  Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned home.

PETER AND JOHN RETURN HOME

REFLECTION

The apostles saw and believed.  They did not fully understand.  Nor would we!  Our faith has undergone centuries of development from Jesus’ teaching and fellow Christians, witnessing to the mystery of the Resurrection.  As St Paul says in First Corinthians, if Christ had not raised from the dead, our faith is in vain.  Life would be totally meaningless. A life without meaning, God save me from such a fate.

 SCRIPTURE JOHN: 11-18

THE APPEARANCE TO MARY OF MAGDALA

 But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.”

I HAVE SEEN THE LORD

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”  She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”* which means Teacher.

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,* for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’  Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.

REFLECTION

I have seen the Lord!  What that must have been like!  Do we have special moments where we feel we are closer to Jesus or his Mother Mary? What do we say to them in those moments?  Do we ask for these special encounters where we can really relate and open our hearts to Jesus and Mary? Do we share with others like Mary Magdalen did with Jesus’ disciples?  Are we witnesses and evangelizers like Mary Magdalen?

 SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:19-23

APPEARANCE TO THE DISCIPLES

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

PEACE BE WITH YOU

 REFLECTION

 “Peace be with you.  The Peace Jesus gives us is an inner peace reconciled to the Father. Now Jesus sends his disciples into the world to forgive sins as the Father sent Jesus into the world for forgiveness of sins. Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. For his mercy endures forever!

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:24-29

 THOMAS

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

MY LORD AND MY GOD

 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

REFLECTION

 Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Here is our challenge as Christians who have not seen the Lord in person, much less put our hands in his wounds. But we have Jesus’ promise that if we believe, WE WILL BE BLESSED! Is belief sufficient?  I think not.  Jesus said to come follow Him which means taking up our daily crosses and imitating Jesus in his love of the Father and our neighbor.

CONCLUSION. JOHN 20:30-31

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of [his] disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

 

 

 

 

 

GOSPEL OF JOHN CHAPTER 21

GOSPEL OF JOHN

SCRIPTURE JOHN 21:1-14

 THE APPEARANCE TO THE SEVEN DISCIPLES.

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way.

Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.

So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

COME HAVE BREAKFAST AT THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three* large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him,* “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third timeh Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

 REFLECTION

When Jesus tells us to cast our net, follqw Jesus wherever He may lead. It always will lead ultimately to abundant life.  In fact, if we pay close attention, it may break our nets  (hearts) with fullness of the Lord.

Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more. With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen. (Padre Pio Pietrelcina) 

SCRIPTURE JOHN 21:15-19

JESUS AND PETER

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”* He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.

DO YOU LOVE ME? FEED MY SHEEP!

Amen, amen, I say to you,j when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

 REFLECTION

The obvious meaning for Peter here is he is given chance by the good Lord to make  amends for his three denials.  When we sin do we repent and tell Jesus we truly love him and to help us amend our ways?

The other thing that comes to my mind is after Jesus asks if Peter loves him to feed his lambs.  The message here for me is I must prove my love for Jesus by feeding my neighbor with love and forgiveness.

 SCRIPTURE JOHN 21:20-23

 THE BELOVED DISCIPLE

 Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?  

THE BELOVED DISCIPLE

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?* What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”

 REFLECTION

Why are we concerned how God may treat others?  He is God after all and I am only one of his small creatures. I wasn’t there when he filled the sky with stars, sun, and moon or all earthly plants and creatures for that matter.(Book of Job)  All I know is God has promised to never give me more than I can handle and His word is true!

God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13

 CONCLUSION OF GOSPEL OF JOHN

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them,* and we know that his testimony is true.n

There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

 

 

SAINT (MOTHER) TERESA OF CALCUTTA

1 Comment / CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

FEAST DAY SEPTEMBER 5

 INTRODUCTION

Saints are models for us. The saints are not only models for us, they are intercessors on our behalf.  Mother Teresa is one of my favorite saints.  Years ago she inspired our whole family, teenage girls included, to spend time in the poorest of poor nations, Haiti, to work with the poor and dying.  One of the places was a hospice run by the Missionaries of Charity the order Mother Teresa founded.

We have never been the same since. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25 It is true when you give your life for another, you save your life and that life becomes more abundant.  God keeps His promises.

BACKGROUND

 Born in Skopje (North Macedonia) in 1910, MOTHER TERESA joined the Sisters of Loreto in Dublin in 1928 and was sent to India, where she began her novitiate. She taught at St. Mary’s High School in Calcutta from 1931 to 1948, until leaving the Loreto order to begin the Missionaries of Charity.

In 1946, Mother Teresa had a mystical encounter with Christ on a train to Darjeeling September 26, 1946 in which He asked her to take her love for Him a large step further. He asked her to leave the convent of Loreto and begin an order which would serve the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta.

During the time of her mystical experiences leading to the founding of the new order, she experienced deep spiritual union and the sensible awareness of God’s Presence in her life.

Here is a small sample of Jesus’ words to her: “My little one – come – carry Me into the holes of the poor. –  Come be My light – I cannot go alone – they don’t know Me – in your love for Me – they will see Me, know Me, want Me…. For them I long –Wilt thou refuse?”

During her lifelong service to the poorest of the poor, Mother Teresa became an icon of compassion to people of all religions; her extraordinary contributions to the care of the sick, the dying, and thousands of others nobody else was prepared to look after, has been recognized and acclaimed throughout the world.

MEDITATION: PONDER THE GOOD NEWS

SHARED BY MOTHER TERESA

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

Each person is Jesus in disguise. I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy.  I must wash him and tend to him. I serve because I love Jesus.

 It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.

 People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.  The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

 Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

At the hour of death when we come face-to-face with God, we are going to be judged on love; not how much we have done, but how much love we put into the doing.

REFLECTION

We are each called and equipped by God to not only survive our personal Calcutta, but to contribute to those around us whose individual Calcutta intersects our own.   There is no need, then, to travel to far-off lands to contribute…

Wherever we are, with whatever talents and relationships God has entrusted us, we are each called not to do what Mother Teresa did, but– to love as she loved in the Calcutta of our own life.

Made in the very image and likeness of God, We on earth, are God’s love, God’s compassion, God’s will, God’s caregivers, His smile, His tears.  We must show the presence of God in this world until He comes again at the end of time.

Mother Teresa’s 1979 Nobel Peace Prize

Acceptance Speech

Lord, make me a channel of Thy peace that, where there is hatred, I may bring love;

that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; that, where there is discord, I may bring harmony; that, where there is error, I may bring truth;

that, where there is doubt, I may bring faith; that, where there is despair, I may bring hope; that, where there are shadows, I may bring light;

that, where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted, to love than to be loved; for it is by forgetting self that one finds;

it is forgiving that one is forgiven; it is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.

 

 

FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION AUGUST 6

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

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 tent 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. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision* to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Then the disciples asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”He said in reply “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:1-13

BACKGROUND

On August 6th, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor. In this extraordinary event, found in the Synoptic Gospels and the 2nd Letter of St. Peter, Jesus is transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John. The evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke record that our Lord’s face shone like the sun and that his clothes became white as light. Moses and Elijah appears to them and conversed with Christ.

To fully comprehend the importance of this event, it is helpful to understand the context. In Caesarea Philippi, (six days before Transfiguration on Mount Tabor) Jesus asks them: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds that Jesus is “The Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). Jesus acknowledges that Peter’s response could only be prompted by the Father and designates Peter as the leader of the Church. “you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,”

Next, Jesus astounds those present, saying he will soon go to Jerusalem where he will be killed and then rise on the third day. His followers couldn’t grasp that such events could possibly happen if he was truly the Messiah. In fact, Peter argues, “No such thing could ever happen to you.” Jesus offers a stern response: “Get behind me, Satan!(def. adversary) You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Mathew 16:22-23).

Some six days after the discussions at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus furnishes clarification of his words to three of the apostles, Peter, James, and John during the miracle of the Transfiguration. The apostles are awestruck by this scene, and Peter wants to build three tents (tabernacles), one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah (cf. Mt 17:4).

Peter is ready to stay in this beautiful place, but he and the others must go back down the mountain. Glory awaits Him and us if he stays the path, deny himself, picks up his cross and follows Jesus.(Mt. 16:24)

This is not unlike the soldier who goes on R&R from a combat zone. He enjoys, even relishes his time away from combat, but he has to go back. The victory still has to be won; sacrifices still have to be made.

A GLIMPSE OF GLORY

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED
MATTHEW 17:5

REFLECTION
On a mountain, for a brief time, the splendor of Christ’s eternal divinity is revealed. The apostles witness how Jesus will appear in heaven and we too, as followers of Christ, will share in his glory. His passion was not the end, so too our suffering, our death. is not the end.

Both before and after the Transfiguration, Jesus told the disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and die at the hands of the elders, saying, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” Matthew 17:22-23.

The three disciples who saw the glorified Lord were given a vision meant to strengthen them for the difficult days ahead when Jesus would be arrested and crucified. It is a foretaste of the glory that will be theirs in the Kingdom of God. This moment, forever embedded in their minds, will help them to endure the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus.

Let us reflect back on the times in which we have caught a subtle glimpse of the glory of our Lord. Perhaps while reading Scripture where we have encountered the majesty of God. Or perhaps moments that occurred at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or in our adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Holy Hour.

Let the Glory of God wash over us and fill us with fortitude to endure present difficulties in order to share in that Glory one day. Simply enjoy His presence and peace. Be thankful day and night, for the Lord is good, his mercy endures forever.

RISE AND DO NOT BE AFRAID

The way of suffering and glory intertwined is part of what we gain from celebrating this feast. It invites us to ascend the mountain with those disciples, to tremble with them at the awesome reality of God’s glory in Jesus, The disciples fall prostrate and are very much afraid. and to hear the words of comfort from Jesus, to rise and not to be afraid.

We celebrate the Transfiguration not only for the picture it paints of our glorified Lord, but for what it shows us about how we can be changed. We don’t have to be stuck in the muck. Trust in Jesus!

The voice of God the Father from the cloud hearkens back to the cloud that guided the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. Jesus is the New Moses. Elijah paved the way for Christ, announcing His coming, the true God among the pagans of his time. Christ fulfills what the prophets foretold of the Messiah.

POST-SCRIPT

JESUS WELCOMES US INTO HIS GLORY

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…. a holy city, a New Jerusalem, coming down from God…,
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God..
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain…
REVELATION 21:1-4

PRAYER (PSALM 27)

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?….

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart does not fear;
Though war be waged against me,
even then do I trust.

One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:To dwell in the LORD’s house
all the days of my life,To gaze on the LORD’s beauty, to visit his temple

Hear my voice, LORD, when I call;
have mercy on me and answer me.
“Come,” says my heart, “seek his face”

LORD, Do not hide your face from me;
do not repel your servant in anger.
You are my salvation; do not cast me off;
do not forsake me, God my savior!….

Wait for the LORD, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!

ROMANS CHAPTER 8

SCRIPTURE

JESUS IS TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS

 the flesh and the spirit.

Hence, now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death. For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do, this God has done: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us, who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.

For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit. The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit…. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies…. Consequently, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

children of god through adoption.

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

 destiny of glory.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God… that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now…. For in hope we were saved….

god’s indomitable love in christ.

 We know that all things work for good for those who love God,… If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for…It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword

No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things,* nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

REFLECTION

In Romans Chapter 8, St. Paul gives us a choice to live according to the flesh or to live according to the spirit. We are afterall body and soul (spirit), made in likeness of God by virtue of our intellect and will.

 Those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh. According to Scripture, there are three disordered human desires, pleasure, possession, and pride.(Temptations)

The New Testament refers to them as the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. 1 John 2:16. The word “lust” in English normally refers to a disordered desire for sexual pleasure;  in Greek, it can refer to any disordered “craving.”

In the book of Genesis, the woman Eve saw the apple was good for food, a delight to the eyes, desired to possess it and the serpent said it would make her wise as God. (pride of life).  The collateral damage of Eve was sharing it with Adam. In the New Testament, Jesus faced the same temptations in the wilderness, fortunately with different results.

The devil tempts Jesus with pleasure of eating, the desire to possess glory and power over all the kingdoms of this world, and the pride of exalting himself over everyone with the miracle of jumping off the pinnacle of the temple.

Whereas Adam and Eve gave in to the temptations to pleasure, possessions, and pride, and brought sin and death into the world, Jesus triumphs over all three. As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19

Sin is never just personal. Sin causes collateral damage and weakens the Mystical Body of Christ.  There are consequences to our disordered desires.  Irreparable suffering and brokenness results from the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.  Just think of damaged caused to families and society on the whole of drunkenness, adultery, theft, uncontrolled ambition, exploitation of the vulnerable, wars and threats of wars.

We need only look into our own hearts. There, we will quickly discover our own disordered cravings for pleasure, possessions, and selfish pride.

Jesus gives his disciples three spiritual exercises that are remedies for the triple lust that dwells in every human heart. Consider the following: fasting from pleasure, almsgiving to share with others, and humble prayer, especially during this Lenten season.

For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God…  if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8

Fortunately for us, we are not just heirs of the flesh but thanks to Jesus our Savior, we are reborn in the spirit, as adopted children. if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8

 Paul speaks of the glory that awaits us who persevere.  There is no suffering now that can compare to the glory that awaits the faithful. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now…. For in hope we were saved…

If God is for us, who can be against us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword. We need to pray, and reflect into the deep (duc in altum) Luke 5:4 what in our life may separate us from the love of Christ.

LUST OF THE FLESH

the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:3-4

LUST OF THE EYES (POSSESSION)

 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world…And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them…If thou therefore wilt worship me…And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.  Luke 4:5-8

PRIDE OF LIFE

 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee…And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Luke 4:9-12

 

 

 

GOD’S ABUNDANT GENEROSITY TO LABORERS IN HIS FIELD

SCRIPTURE

FOR OF HIS FULLNESS WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED, AND GRACE UPON GRACE.

John 1:16

 SCRIPTURE

 MATTHEW 20:1-16

 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? [Or] am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

ARE YOU ENVIOUS BECAUSE I AM GENEROUS

REFLECTION

 How is kingdom of heaven on earth like a landowner sending laborers into his vineyard?

There are many souls yet to bring into the kingdom. All hands on deck! Jesus has told us, do we listen? “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few”, Luke 10:2

The land owner (God) has promised what is just. All that we are, all that we have is gift from God. Why grumble!  Jesus reminds us of our unworthiness to make demands… So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ”Luke 17:10

 Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies … People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights Psalm 36:5-8.

 No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it Corinthians 10:13. We may encounter road blocks, thorns, pestilence, and darkness along the way but trust in Jesus!

The land owner goes out again and again seeking workers.  He asks, “Why do you stand here idle all day? Do we ask ourselves why we stay idle or surf the internet or social media, or play games when the harvest is so great?  Surely, there is something we can do.

Do we ever grumble about how God is not paying us what we think we deserve like those who worked a full day?  Wow! Think about getting paid by God what we deserve!  But we have a merciful God, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Exodus 34:5-7 Mercy is love we don’t deserve.

What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Are you envious because I am generous?’

Are we envious of others good fortune?  Envy is one of the seven capital sins that leads to so many other sins, thefts of goods or reputations, resentment, anger, hate and even sometimes murder.

God gives generously even to those who oppose Him. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45

Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last,” seems very confusing at first glance. Perhaps, one meaning is a caution about judging other people as less than ourselves….a counsel that pride goes before the fall…or the parable Jesus addressed  to those convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else….the Pharisee and the publican in the temple.

The publican knelt in the back and beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13 Then, Jesus tells us, the publican went home justified and those who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

It’s said that there are two kinds of people, those who see the glass half full and those who see it half empty. But there is a third perspective enjoyed by those who know and trust the Living God. Our lives are neither half full nor half empty, but always overflowing with abundance through the loving generosity of God.

BOOK OF JONAH

1 Comment / SCRIPTURE

INTRODUCTION

The “sign” of Jonah is interpreted in two ways in the New Testament: His experience of three days and nights in the fish is a “type” of the experience of the Son of Man Matthew 12:39-40, and the Ninevites’ reaction to the preaching of Jonah is contrasted with the failure of Jesus’ generation to obey the preaching of one who is “greater than Jonah” Luke 11:29-32

 CHAPTER ONE

Jonah 1:1-16

 Jonah’s Disobedience and Flight.

The word of the LORD came to Jonah:, Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it; for their wickedness has come before me. But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish, away from the LORD. He went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and went down in it to go with them to Tarshish, away from the LORD. The LORD, however, hurled a great wind upon the sea, and the storm was so great that the ship was about to break up.

 Then the sailors were afraid and each one cried to his god. To lighten the ship for themselves, they threw its cargo into the sea. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down into the hold of the ship, and lay there fast asleep. The captain approached him and said, “What are you doing asleep? Get up, call on your god! Perhaps this god will be mindful of us so that we will not perish.”

They said to him, “Tell us why this evil has come to us! What is your business? Where do you come from? What is your country, and to what people do you belong?” “I am a Hebrew,” he replied; “I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”

 Now the men were seized with great fear and said to him, “How could you do such a thing!”—They knew that he was fleeing from the LORD, because he had told them. They asked, “What shall we do with you that the sea may calm down for us?”…Jonah responded, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea and then the sea will calm down for you. For I know that this great storm has come upon you because of me.”

Then they cried to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish for taking this man’s life; do not charge us with shedding innocent blood, for you, LORD, have accomplished what you desired.” Then they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea stopped raging. Seized with great fear of the LORD, the men offered sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.

JONAH IS TOSSED OVERBOARD

 REFLECTION

 God spoke directly to Jonah and commissioned him to go and preach the Gospel. Jonah went directly against God’s will and did the exact opposite. What was the consequences for fleeing the Lord?  Do I ever turn away and flee the Lord? What are the consequnces for me?

We notice the irony in how the pagan sailors pray to their gods.  Is there a message there for us Christians who fail to pray to our God in times of need but try to go it alone? Also I am reminded of Jesus rebuking his apostles for complaining about others who weren’t followers praying Mark 9:8 Do we ever look down on other denominations who pray but are not like us?

 It is also ironic how the sailors threw cargo over the side to lighten their load at first but not the real cargo/culprit. Are we sometimes imitators and not rid ourselves of the cargo/baggage of sinful habits?

Finally at Jonah’s request the sailors hurled Jonah into the Sea.  The sea stopped raging.  Perhaps that same calm will come upon us when we rid ourselves of what deprives us of peace that only Jesus can give.

CHAPTER TWO

Jonah 2:1-11

Jonah’s Prayer

But the LORD sent a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remained in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.  Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God,  from the belly of the fish: Out of my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me; From the womb of Sheol I cried for help, and you heard my voice….

 When I became faint, I remembered the LORD; My prayer came to you in your holy temple. Those who worship worthless idols abandon their hope for mercy. But I, with thankful voice, will sacrifice to you; What I have vowed I will pay: deliverance is from the LORD. Then the LORD commanded the fish to vomit Jonah upon dry land.

JONAH IS SAVED

REFLECTION

In distress, acknowledging his guilt, Jonah prayed to the Lord to save him.  It is never too late for conversion.

Peter denied Jesus three times but Jesus built his church on the contrite Peter.  Trust in Jesus!

Though unworthy, Jonah prayed for God’s mercy and God delivers him.  Mercy is love we don’t deserve.

CHAPTER THREE

Jonah 3:1-10

 Jonah’s Obedience and the Ninevites’ Repentance.

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you. So Jonah set out for Nineveh, in accord with the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an awesomely great city; it took three days to walk through it.

Jonah began his journey through the city, and when he had gone only a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be overthrown,” the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small,* put on sackcloth.

 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh:  “By decree of the king and his nobles, no man or beast, no cattle or sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water….Who knows? God may again repent and turn from his blazing wrath, so that we will not perish.”

 When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.

JONAH PREACHES REPENTANCE TO THE NINEVITES

REFLECTION

This time Jonah follows God’s instructions, reluctantly like the son who said he would not go into the vineyard but went anyway.  Matthew 21:28.  This may be us at times not fully engaged, but do God’s will anyway.  It probably would be better to embrace God’s will for love of God.

One day, in large city, Ninevites began to repent.  It is a miracle.  Do we look for miracles in our life?  How about that family member who has drifted away from their faith?  Do we give up?  Trust in God!

The king of the Ninevites, a pagan, said, Who knows? God may again repent and turn from his blazing wrath, so that we will not perish.  What do we have to lose by embracing God?  Who else would you rather trust?

The Lord passes by Moses, So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity. Exodus 34:6

 CHAPTER FOUR

Jonah 4:1-11

 Jonah’s Anger and God’s Reproof.

But this greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the LORD, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I fled at first toward Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness, repenting of punishment. So now, LORD, please take my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.”

 But the LORD asked, “Are you right to be angry?”*Jonah then left the city for a place to the east of it, where he built himself a hut and waited* under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city. Then the LORD God provided a gourd plant.* And when it grew up over Jonah’s head, giving shade that relieved him of any discomfort, Jonah was greatly delighted with the plant.

 But the next morning at dawn God provided a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. And when the sun arose, God provided a scorching east wind; and the sun beat upon Jonah’s head till he became faint. Then he wished for death, saying, “It is better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry over the gourd plant?” Jonah answered, “I have a right to be angry—angry enough to die.”

 Then the LORD said, “You are concerned* over the gourd plant which cost you no effort and which you did not grow; it came up in one night and in one night it perished. And should I not be concerned over the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot know their right hand from their left, not to mention all the animals?”*

JONAH IS ANGRY WITH GOD

REFLECTION

 Jonah is angry because he hated the Ninevites, and feared God would convert them, But the LORD asked, “Are you right to be angry? Are we right to be angry at God sparing someone on their deathbed we consider unworthy?  Are we angry, resentful, envious when the wicked seem to prosper in this world?

God provided a gourd plant to provide comfort to Jonah.  Jonah was delighted but angry when the gourd died.  All material goods perish sometime.  Are we just grateful to God in good times?  Do we embrace also the vicissitudes of this world, the disappointments, the economic set-backs, health issues as part of the redemptive suffering of the Mystical Body of Christ that Jesus invites us to participate?

What do you think of the lesson God tried to teach Jonah?  Jonah cared about a plant, a plant, more than he did all the population of Nineveh that may have been destroyed had they not repented.  God has a plan for each of us. Someone’s salvation may depend on us. Let us follow God’s will and then see what happens!.

 

 

 

 

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

BEHOLD A GREAT LIGHT SHATTERS THE DARKNESS!

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.” Isaiah 9:1-2

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. John 1:1

In time the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you… Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son…  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High

THE GREATEST EXCHANGE OF GIFTS

At Bethlehem, humanity sees not only God-Made flesh but also receives an invitation to become God-like.  God offers to make men and women by grace what Jesus Christ is by nature, namely, a beloved child of our heavenly Father.  In Jesus, God took on human attributes, in Jesus humans can now take on the divine qualities of mercy, love, insight, and immortality.

In exchange for the humanity He takes, the Incarnate Word gives us a share in his divinity.   God is born in time so we can be reborn in eternity.  The Son of God becomes the Son of Man so men and women can become children of the one same Father in heaven.

 CHRIST THE KING IS BORN; COME LET US ADORE HIM

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them…The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

  “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE TO THOSE  ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.”

REFLECTION

God became man.  What caused this transcendent almighty God to humble himself to take on humanity?  Because He had something more He wanted to share.  He had already created us out of nothing.  Who does that, we don’t.  Everything we make is from something else. God humbles himself that He might share His divine life with us, the life of grace here on earth and face to face in heaven.

Why do we gift others at Christmas; for the most part it isn’t their birthday.  We gift others not because of shopping malls or internet deals but because we imitate God who has gifted us with the greatest gift of all, His only begotten Son and our Redeemer, out gateway into heaven.

One of my favorite images of the Birth of Christ is the star that lights and exclaims a new born king of heaven and earth is born today.  ‘I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life. John 8:12

This light has shattered darkness of sin and death. Jesus declares He is exclusive source of all spiritual truth. We can either walk in the light or in darkness.  We choose!  There is more.  It is not just about us. We must be light (witnesses) for other people. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:15

The night the Christ Child was born, shepherds came and saw, then worshiped and spread the Good News. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. Luke 2:20…do I spread the Good News…Mary pondered all these mysteries in her heart…do I ponder the birth of Jesus in my heart… And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Luke 2:19

FROM TOM AND JEANETTE BLOCK

STILL ROMAN CATHOLIC AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. COM

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW CHAPTER 3

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

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