THE STORY OF SALVATION CHAPTER 6 JESUS KING OF GLORY

THE STORY OF OUR SALVATION

INTRODUCTION

The Passion, death, and the Resurrection of Christ are the central message in our salvation story.  The cross is the symbol of Christianity.  The cross is both disgrace and shame and glory and eternal life.  Our faith is grounded in paradox.  Those who would save their life will lose it, and those who lay down their lives will gain life.

On the first day of the week, Jesus will rise from the dead in all His glory.  He is risen!  Had He not arisen, our faith would be absurd.  Nothing we do would matter.  Jesus has fulfilled his mission from the Father.  He has redeemed us from our sins and opened the door to eternal life.

:Jesus is ALIVE!  He died that our sins may be forgiven…now He calls us to follow him to heaven…the risen Lord is not gone…He remains with us in the sacraments…in our faith…in our prayers…for those who follow Jesus…the same fate awaits…a glorious resurrection of our bodies on the last day…eyes have not seen…ears have not heard what await those who love Jesus…

   The Lord is Risen, Alleluia!

MARY MAGDELENE

THE FIRST TO SEE THE RISEN LORD 

Mary was weeping because she could not find her Lord…Jesus appears to Mary in his resurrected glorious state…Jesus addresses her, Mary…immediately she knew it is the Lord…gently Jesus admonishes her…she must not cling to him…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,”JOHN 20:10-18

LUKE 24:13-31   ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

Now, that very day, two of the disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.   He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped.  Looking downcast, one of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem, who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?”  And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”

They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.  But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel”…

Jesus said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.  As they approached the village they urged Jesus to stay and have supper.

While at table Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. The two disciples of Emmaus set out at once for Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them… the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

APPEARANCE TO HIS APOSTLES

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.”JOHN 20:19-23

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN

AND HAVE BELIEVED

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 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.”  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.”JOHN 20:24-31

 REFLECTION:…sometimes I am a doubting Thomas…blessed are those who have not seen and have believed…My Lord and My God…help my unbelief…Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God…trust in Jesus…through Jesus, I may have life…look for the signs…listen for that small voice in the heart…place my hands in Jesus’ hands…walk with Jesus…do not be unbelieving but believe…

JESUS ON THE SHORE AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. …The disciples are in a boat fishing…Jesus is on the shore…the disciples haven’t caught anything to eat…they are hungry…Jesus is hungry…He is not a ghost…He is truly risen and truly alive…cast your net on the other side and you will catch something, I will start the fire…they ate breakfast together…shared a meal and shared their love for one another in community…we will know him in the breaking of the bread…JOHN 21:1-14 

    SIMON, DO YOU LOVE ME?  YES, LORD. 

FEED MY LAMBS.

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.”

JOHN 21:15-19,24-25

REFLECTION:

Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him to allow Peter to make amends for his three denials….Peter asserts his love for Jesus, vigorously….the results…Peter will shepherd Jesus’ church….Jesus predicts Peter’s martyrdom for love of Christ…those who follow Christ must pick up their crosses…in so doing they will give glory to God…and will share in the glory of Jesus’ resurrection…

COME FOLLOW ME!

  JESUS IS TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”  “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

You are witnesses of these things. And (behold) I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with the Holy Spirit from on high….. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age…clothed with the Holy Spirit…pray with great joy, always…I do not leave you orphans… As he blessed them, He parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God. LUKE 24:44-53 

St. John tells us at the end of his Gospel, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 

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.  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.  

 I have included a few of Jesus’ appearances after His Resurrection from the dead.  Besides the women and apostles according to St. Paul in First Corinthians Chapter 15 Jesus appeared to more than 500 brethren before ascending to Heaven.

CONCLUSION

The next Chapter, Chapter 7, will conclude the blog, STORY OF SALVATION.  It is titled NEW JERUSALEM. “The Lord God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, will serve as temple and light, providing for every need of the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem”.

“the Holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God”

REVELATIONS 21:10

 Jesus never intended to leave us orphans but on the Rock Peter He made Peter Prime minister of His kingdom, custodian of His church, and Shepherd of His Flock.  In Chapter Seven we will see how this new born church from His very side on Calvary begins to take root and flourish under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the advocate and Sanctifier through the Sacraments instituted by Christ and ministered by successors of Peter.  It all comes together in the Book of Revelations at the wedding feast of the Lamb.                                                                                                         

THE STORY OF SALVATION CHAPTER 7 THE KINGDOM COMES

THE STORY OF OUR SALVATION

INTRODUCTION

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRITY ADVOCATE AND SANCTIFIER

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid… I will not leave you an orphan… The Spirit will teach you…inspire you…remind you of my word…and call to mind your sins that you may be reconciled and live… He will teach you through my church and proclaim the good news…I have so much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it all at once…trust me…trust the Holy Spirit who will guide you to all truth… you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” John 16:7-16

 The quotes above from Acts and Gospel of St. John shows our salvation story goes on beyond Jesus’ Ascension into heaven.  The promise of the Advocate is fulfilled in St. Luke’s account in the Acts of the Apostles.

 PENTECOST

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind,* and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,  as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.  ACTS 2:1-4

After receiving the Holy Spirit the Apostles went outside the Cenacle and began proclaiming the Good News to people of all nations, ethnicity, and languages and all understood in their own language.

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them.

“You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem….. You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.

 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it….God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you  see and hear….Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified….

 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day….ACTS 2:22-28

EARLY CHRISTIANS LIVING IN COMMUNITY

 “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers….many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”   ACTS 2:42-45

 FIRST MARTYR FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD

 After the crucifixion, the apostles began to champion a new faith in Jesus and the ranks of the Jesus movement (known as “the Way”) swelled to 3,000 Jewish converts. At first, these followers were distinctly Jewish, following Mosaic Law, Temple traditions and dietary customs.

Early Christians were persecuted for their faith at the hands of both the Jews  and the Romans who controlled many of the lands across which early Christianity was spread.

Early Christians expected suffering. Christ had died on the cross, so there was no higher honor than to imitate that death through accepting martyrdom.

“They threw Stephen out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.  As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep “Acts 7:58-60
On that day, there broke out a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside except the apostles.  Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him. Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church;* entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment.  Acts 8:1-3

THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY AFTER CHRIST

The Book of Acts details the spread of Christianity through missionary disciples like Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Phillip through such places as Macedonia, Judea, Galilee, Samaria and of course Peter, John, and James  in Jerusalem.

Later, came the Gentile members of the mixed Jewish-Greek church in Antioch and the many pagan converts of Paul in Syria, Asia Minor and Greece.  With Gentile conversion, the Jewish monopoly in the new movement came to an end. Jewish and Gentile Christianity was born.  Acts 11:19–24

It was in Antioch that the Jesus movement was first called Christianity.  Ultimately Peter and Paul brought Christianity to Rome where they met their fate of martyrdom.

As Gentiles joined the Jesus movement, focus on Jewish law decreased. Jewish Christians in Jerusalem participated in separate Jewish services from the gentile Christian population, and while the two groups agreed on Jesus’ message and importance, the separate rites and communities led to increasing division between the two groups.

In fact, Paul contacted the Apostle, James, Bishop of Jerusalem, to call a council together to decide if one had to abide by all the Jewish rites to become a Christian.

Chapter 15 of the book of Acts relates the decision of the Council of Jerusalem. This is considered the first ecumenical council of the Church.

The purpose of the Council, according to Acts, was to resolve a disagreement within the Early Christian community between those led by James who believed the church must observe the rules of traditional Judaism and Paul of Tarsus, who believed there was no such necessity.  The primary issue in dispute related to the requirement of circumcision.  James and the Council sent Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch with the following message.

It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.  Acts 15:28-29

Within a few hundred years, the small religious movement called Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe and the Western world. Roman Emperor Constantine ended persecution of Christians in Roman Empire. (313)

 CHRISTIANITY TODAY

 Recent polling on religious affiliation shows of those polled 25% have no religious affiliation.  The largest group of those polled, other than Catholics, is former Catholics.

All Christian denominations are losing their followers.   As the title of my blog says I am still Roman Catholic after all these years.  Why?  First, Scripture tells me that Christ built His Church upon Peter and his successors.

 “I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell 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.” Matt. 16:16-19

 The Catholic Church still observes the Mosaic law of the Ten Commandments that Christ came to fulfill. We have the teachings of Jesus and His church to refer to in our daily living.  The Magisterium of the Church (teaching authority) which relies on Sacred Scripture (written word) and Sacred Tradition (spoken word) allows us to refer to experts as we form our consciences in matters of faith and morals.

We have the Sacraments of the Catholic Church that dispenses grace for every situation whether we are just starting out in our Baptism, adopted children of God, need a little boost in our faith, Confirmation, need a little cleansing of the soul, Penance, and daily refueling of grace Eucharist.  

 If we decide to marry, we really need the grace of sacrament of Marriage until death do us part.  Finally, when it is time for us to pass to our eternal home, the Church sends us off with the Sacrament of Anointing with these words,

“Go forth Christian soul from this world in the name of God, the Almighty Father who created you.  In the name of Jesus, the Son of the Living God who suffered for you.  In the name of the Holy Spirit who was poured out upon you…May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth.   May Holy Mary, the angels and all the saints come to meet you…May you see your Redeemer face to face….”

 THE SPIRIT BRINGS US HOME TO THE HEAVENLY BANQUET

 According to the Apostle and Evangelist, St. John, it all comes together in Book of Revelations, the wedding feast of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem. The light that shines on this heavenly Jerusalem is the love of God that has transfigured the created order. All creation, every human being, every stone, everything was made for praise of God.

 The Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus, is the spirit of divine love that now descends on the created order, bringing creation back to God.  We are baptized in the Spirit. We pray through the Spirit.

The Spirit, through the life of the Church, is active here and now.

 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away… I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  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; the old order has passed away… “Behold, I make all things new.” REVELATIONS 21:1-3

THE KINGDOM COMES

EPILOGUE

This blog, STORY OF OUR SALVATION, is now complete.  Of course, our part in the story is not. We know we exist because God loved us into existence. We all have a mission.  We are here for a purpose.  The world is billions of years old.  It is now our time to play our part.  Do we know our part?

As we enter stage left and exit stage right what is our role;  Who are we here for?  Who do I meet, interact with, why this person and not that person?  I may have only a walk on part, but if I don’t play my part, what happens…does the play tumble into chaos for awhile….until God intervenes with a new script as He did in the Garden of Eden…

God that intends for us to know Him on this earth and be with Him for all eternity in the next.  I know the difference faith in God has made in my life.  God never asks more than we can give.  Trust in God! He is never outdone in generosity.

 

 

 

 

 

JESUS IN SCRIPTURE I AM THE VINE YOU ARE THE BRANCHES

SCRIPTURE

JOHN 15:1-12 I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it bears more fruit.  You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you…

 I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.  Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned…

 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.  “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.  This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

REFLECTION:

 We, future saints, and saints already in heaven receive the grace to become saints from abiding in Jesus…

The Father is the vine grower. Jesus is the vine… “I am the vine you are the branches…whoever remains in me will bear much fruit”…

Our Branches are pruned to bear more fruit…do we resist when God tries to remove shoots from the branch that may inhibit the bearing of more fruit….

” Remain in my love…and your joy will be complete”…anyone who doesn’t remain with Jesus will wither and die…Do I want to wither and die…Of course not…Jesus keep my branch attached to you…

if we remain with Jesus our joy will be complete…all of us want to be happy…really happy…really whole…by keeping the commandments and loving one another, my joy will be complete…

Jesus wants his friends, us included, to know He is not abandoning us. Though His physical presence may be taken away, His spiritual reality will continue to sustain and nourish us as long as we abide in him……. For in Him we live and move and have our being” Acts 17:28

In our pursuit of things of this world, have I not had enough disappointment with unmet expectations,  material pleasures that only satisfy for a moment… I was made by God for God…And that’s a good thing….to share in His divine life …What makes me think doing it my way is better than God’s way…isn’t it time to embrace His pruning…that I may bear more fruit… “This is my commandment, love one another as I have loved you!”

SILENT PRAYER

ABIDE IN JESUS!

 

 

WHAT CATHOLICS BELIEVE!

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

There are many core beliefs of the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ, too many to include in this blog, but I will include a few of the more important ones. For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Catechism of the Catholic Church

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

 

GOD THE FATHER, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters—Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light…God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night…..”

 Evening came, and morning followed— Let the earth bring forth every kind of living creature: tame animals, crawling things, and every kind of wild animal. And so it happened…. Then God said: Let us make* human beings in our image, after our likeness….God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female* he created them. God blessed them and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply,, (Genesis 1)

 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

279 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Holy Scripture begins with these solemn words. The profession of faith takes them up when it confesses that God the Father almighty is “Creator of heaven and earth” (Apostles’ Creed), “of all that is, seen and unseen” (Nicene Creed).

 JESUS IS THE PROMISED MESIAH IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.” Genesis 3:15

 Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who was promised to the Jewish people in the Old Testament. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus opened the gates of Heaven by his Crucifixion and Resurrection. He came to earth not only for the forgiveness of sins but to reveal the love and mercy of the Father.

 CRUCIFIED, DIED AND WAS BURIED AND ON THIRD DAY ROSE FROM THE DEAD.

 Jesus died on the Cross on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene found an empty tomb. He had risen. He overcame death and showed us a new life. On Pentecost Sunday, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to sanctify the Church he founded.

 THE HOLY TRINITY

 A core belief of the Catholic religion is one God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit but one God, not three gods.  When we speak of the Father as Creator, we do not mean to say the Son and the Spirit had nothing to do with creation.  The same can be said about the Father and the Spirit in regard redemption.  The same can be said about the Father and the Son in regards sanctification.   The source of all divine actions in the world is one Divine Nature.  The Blessed Trinity acts in the world as one single and unique cause.

 THE EUCHARIST

.“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28

 Holy Communion (Eucharist) is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic religion. During the Mass, the priest who is acting in the person of Jesus, offers bread and wine to the Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit the bread becomes the Body of Christ and the wine becomes His blood just like at the Last Supper. When we partake of Communion, we are just like the disciples at the Last Supper

 ORIGINAL SIN

In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve. In His image and likeness, He endowed them with intelligence, love, free will, and conscience.  He gave them the grace of “original holiness.”  Man and the world began in grace, not sin.  The inner harmony of the human person, the harmony between man and woman, and the harmony between man and all of creation comprised the state of “original justice.”

 According to the Creation Story in Genesis, Adam and Eve betrayed God, by being beguiled by the Devil and ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and discovered evil.  God then banished Adam and Eve and their descendents  (us) from the Garden of Eden and communion with Him.  Because of this mistake, every one of us is born with original sin. We must be Baptized, another Holy sacrament of the Church, to be wiped clean of this original sin.

 BAPTISM

 Baptism not only removes Original Sin but is an initiation into God’s family and a  call to discipleship. We are commissioned the same way Jesus commissioned his disciples over 2000 years ago.  In the rite of Baptism, the priest or deacon says these words, “…God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as members of his body… you have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ…. What does it mean to be priest, prophet and king.  As priest, we offer sacrifice.  As prophet, we bear witness to the Gospel and as King, we serve our neighbors. 

THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS

On the evening of the first day of the week, “Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, Peace be with you. ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’” John 20: 22-23  Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confession for personal sins committed after Baptism.  We experience God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Confession.

It is there that we acknowledge who we are: limited, weak and sinful creatures in need of redemption.  It is there that God forgives us of any and all of our sins.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” John 3: 16-17.

The Sacrament of Confession is an enormous source of interior peace.  The priest raises his hand, and then with a blessing pronounces those amazing words, “I absolve you from your sins.”  At that moment, we know that God has heard our cry for forgiveness, and we have been pardoned of our sins.

 RESURRECTION OF THE BODY AND LIFE EVERLASTING

The words “Life Everlasting” or “Eternal Life” are not to signify merely continuance of existence because even demons and the wicked continue to exist.  Everlasting Life refers to the perpetuity of happiness, blessedness, wholeness, and union with the Most Blessed Trinity in heaven. “Eye hath not seen; ears hath not heard, or the heart of man conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” I Cor. 2:9

In the Book of Revelations, 21:4, it states, “They shall no more hunger and thirst.  Neither shall the sun fall on them nor any heat.  God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and death shall be no more. Nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more for the former things are passed away.”

 CLOSING PRAYER

 Heavenly Father, eyes have not seen, ears have not heard what you have prepared for those who love you.  You sent your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, not to condemn us, but to save us.  By His merits, through His Passion and Death, do not look upon our sinfulness and what we truly deserve, but in your mercy, forgive us. our sins and  bring us home to Eternal Life, In Jesus’ name, we pray.

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RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR’S AND TO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD’S MATTHEW 22:21

1 Comment / CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

INTRODUCTION

Well, it is time for another election here in the United States.  Some people flip a coin…some people vote their tribe…many agonize to the point of staying home.  Many faithful Catholics will suffer as they joust their consciences with their “self-interest.” As disciples of Christ our self-interest should be our God interest.

 WHO FORMS YOUR CONSCIENCE, JESUS CHRIST OR A POLITICAL PARTY?

Is it your personal encounter with Jesus Christ and His Church or is it the ideology of some political party? A well-formed conscience is necessary to make correct moral decisions. Voting is a moral obligation because through it we seek to affirm the moral truths that shape our lives as Catholics in a secular world.

 “Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, is in the process of performing, or already has completed performing.  Conscience is a faculty of the intellect not the will.  Man has the right to act according to his conscience, in fact is required to do so, even if it might be mistaken.  However, born with a clouded intellect after the original fall, man is also required to educate his conscience to discern God’s will as revealed in Divine Law.” (CCC 1778)

 ELECTION ISSUES

Abortion is an intrinsic evil. It is intended to kill the innocent human being growing in the mother’s womb and is never permitted.  Abortion is not an acceptable means of birth control or a choice of the parents for a preferred gender or because a baby will be inconvenient. Nor is it acceptable to abort a child that may suffer from some disease or disability.  That is euthanasia of the unborn.

Human life is sacred. Direct attacks on innocent human beings are never morally acceptable. Within our society, life is under direct attack from abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, and destruction of human embryos for research. These intrinsic evils must always be opposed.

God chooses life but not just the life of the unborn but the life of the already born.  Jesus in his public ministry addressed the needs of the living by healing those from the effects of original sin, forgiving sins, healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching justice, and calling that we all be one like He and the Father are one.

Catholic Christians have been continually disappointed by politicians who say they are pro life when in fact they are more anti-abortion  than PRO LIFE ISSUES.  Pro Life is a seamless garment.  When these politicians get in office because of well-intentioned Christian votes, they consistently oppose the “common good.” They often seem to care very little for the needs of the already living human beings that Jesus addressed in His public ministry.

WHAT IS THE “COMMON GOOD”

 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1906-1909

“the sum total of social conditions which allow people to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily.”….public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person…the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience,  safeguard privacy, freedom in matters of religion.”…and the stability and security of a just order.

 US CATHOLIC BISHOPS GUIDELINES FOR VOTERS

A consistent ethic of life should guide all Catholic engagement in political life. Catholics should commit to defend human life and other human rights, from conception until natural death, to respect the dignity of every human being as a child of God.

We focus on the “common good” We ask how we can make the world a better place; not how I can improve my personal situation.  Other assaults on human life and dignity, such as genocide, torture, racism, the targeting of noncombatants can never be justified. Disrespect for any human life diminishes respect for all human life. As Catholics we are not single-issue voters.

 Caring for God’s Creation Care for the earth is a duty of our Catholic faith. We all are called to be careful stewards of God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for vulnerable human beings now and in the future

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable While the common good embraces all, those who are in greatest need deserve preferential concern. A moral test for society is how we treat the weakest among us—the unborn, those dealing with disabilities or terminal illness, the poor and marginalized, The Federal budget is a moral document and must provide as well for the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

 Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Economic justice calls for decent work at fair, living wages, opportunities for legal status for immigrant workers, and the opportunity for all people to work together for the common good through their work, ownership, enterprise, participation in unions and other forms of economic activities.

Immigration needs be addressed in a humane way with compassion, while securing and protecting our borders.  We must welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin out of charity and respect for the human person. We have the right and duty to secure one’s border and enforce the law for the sake of the common good. Sovereign nations have the right to enforce their laws and all persons must respect the legitimate exercise of this right.

CONCLUSION

We must be the leaven in society that bears witness to the Truth and bring others into God’s reign on earth.  If you truly live your Catholic faith, you may not find complete alignment with any political party.   Pray and Trust in Jesus that the vote you cast is the best vote you can cast.

Let us continue to pray for one another in our discernment process and forming a conscience according to God’s will as revealed in Divine Law.

Let us call on the Holy Spirit in our discernment as we prepare to perform not only our civic duty but our moral duty.

Come Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of your faithful,

kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,

did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

grant that by the same Holy Spirit

we may be truly wise

and ever enjoy His consolations,

Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

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JESUS IN SCRIPTURE PARABLE OF UNFORGIVING SERVANT

SCRIPTURE

 

MATTHEW 18:23-35 PARABLE OF UNFORGIVING SERVANT

Peter asked Jesus, “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 of that servant 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:

Peter asks a reasonable question, ”How often must I forgive my brother…”  it is difficult to forgive after all….sometimes we can’t forgive ourselves….we must accept and trust in the mercy of God…there is no sin so bad or so big that God’s mercy can’t wipe clean….in this parable Jesus addresses our forgiving others…Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us….be careful of what we pray for….the measure we measure will be measured to us…we are told to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect…one way we achieve this is through forgiving others…we live now in time of mercy…later there will be judgment…so will my heavenly Father do to you as you do to others…

SILENT PRAYER

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BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MODEL OF FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, MARY MOTHER OF GOD

October is one of two months of the year particularly dedicated by the Church to honor Mary.  It is the month of the Holy Rosary and also includes the last apparition at Fatima, the miracle of the Sun, October 13. It is good to ponder Mary’s role in Salvation History.

For our Protestant brethren, let me say right up front that the Catholic Church does not worship Mary or make her an idol.  We honor her as the Mother of God, Jesus.  It is Mary’s flesh that Jesus took on to share in our humanity.  All covenants failed until the New Covenant of Jesus.  Man could not save himself under the law.  Constantly man was breaking the law of the Covenant. It took a human and Divine human being to atone for our sins.

Mary did not just drop from the sky.  Her part in the salvation story had been predicted in the Old Testament book of Genesis, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, ,and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.”

Genesis 3:15.

 In the Prophet Isaiah, a sign of the awaited Messiah is given, “The Lord himself will give you a sign, the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son…” Isaiah 7:14.  Even the place is predicted in Micah, “But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathaha least among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel” Micah 5:2

Mary is foreshadowed in the person of Eve.  Both are mothers of all the living, yet in different ways. Eve is the mother of all those living with natural life, while Mary is the mother of all those living with supernatural life,

Without Mary, no Jesus, without Jesus, no salvation.  Some will say I don’t need Mary, I pray directly to Jesus.  Fine, but don’t we need all the help we can get.  Why not ask His mother to intercede on our behalf too.  After all Jesus performed His first miracle at His Mother’s request although His time had not come yet.

When we are having upcoming surgery we don’t just ask one friend to pray for us but we ask for all the prayers we can get.  Praying to Mary can’t hurt anything but can only help.

Mary is the model of faith and obedience.  At the Annunciation, Mary’s fiat, “let it be done to me according to your word…,” Luke 1:38 demonstrates her complete obedience to God and to His will for her. Church Father, St. Irenaeus, says, Mary “being obedient, became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.”

.The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith.  Our obedience of faith must be given to God as He reveals Himself, to us.  It involves a complete submission of one’s self to God’s will.

We must have a humble faith, which means that we recognize it as an unmerited gift from God.  Recall when Mary’s cousin Elizabeth greeted Mary as singular blessedness, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

Mary immediately turned the attention away from herself to magnify the Lord. Mary’s hymn of praise, known as the Magnificat, is a shining example of the humble being exalted.

Mary’s perfect humility constantly leads her to point to her divine Son.  “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness… Luke 1:46.

We, too, who have been baptized into eternal life must magnify the Lord through our very lives.   Like Mary, our “humble faith” must lead us to bear witness to the great things God has done for us. We must proclaim Christ at every opportunity in a way that invites others to “come and see.”

In Luke 1:29 and Luke 2:19, Mary is pictured as a woman of faith who pondered all things, Jesus, in her heart.  Mary’s “recollected faith” teaches us the importance of listening to God’s word, pondering the truths of our faith, and praying daily that our faith be preserved and strengthened.

Faith is a gift that is received or revived at any given moment in history. Faith is also a virtue. Like a muscle, it will go flabby if it’s not exercised but it will also grow stronger if we actively strive to grow in holiness.

Mary advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, from the Annunciation to Calvary, then to Pentecost. Mary never ceased to “wonder” in awe all that faith had revealed to her.  Are we still awestruck in our faith at all that God has done for us or have we become indifferent and lukewarm?   Mary, now assumed into heaven, is no longer on a pilgrimage herself, but continues to be a beacon of light for those of us still on the journey home.

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THE MASS THE WORSHIP WE PAY GOD FOR ALL HE GIVES TO US

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

JESUS INSTITUTES THE EUCHARIST

INTRODUCTION

For some time now I have been wondering how I might help improve Sunday Mass attendance among my fellow catholics.  All surveys and polls show less and less each decade attend Sunday Mass on a regular basis despite objectively it is a grave sin to miss Mass on Sundays intentionally without sufficient cause.

Catholics must worship God on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation by participating in the Holy Mass. I know we are in that era of “cafeteria Catholics” who pick and choose what teachings of Jesus and His Church they are going to follow.

When it comes to the Mass, one may hear comments like, “it is boring,”  “I don’t get anything out of it.”  Some will say, I can worship God by going for a walk and appreciating nature. First, I will address the idea of The Mass being boring and getting nothing out of it.  The Mass is primarily about worshipping God not about you getting some kind of thrill or high as you might with a material thing.

We were not at Calvary over 2000 years ago when God died for our sins in atonement.  But at every Mass we re-present that sacrifice in an un-bloody manner.  We receive again through no merit of our own all the graces that were merited by Jesus over 2000 years ago and participate in our redemption by offering ourselves to the extant we can.  So we do get something after all, an increase in sanctifying grace.

Just a word for the nature lover who chooses walks over attending Mass.  It is a good thing to acknowledge God the Creator but God is also the Redeemer, and Sanctifier.  The best way to give thanks (eucharistia) for all that God has done for us is the Liturgy of the Mass.

I am convinced if a person knew and understood the various parts of the Liturgy of the Mass Mass would no longer be boring or something to be skipped or set aside. Nowhere on earth will one be closer to Jesus than in the Liturgy of the Mass which includes the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.

So let’s begin:

 INTRODUCTORY RITES

 At Mass we are welcomed by the priest celebrant who stands in the place of Christ.  We begin with the sign of the cross placing ourselves in God’s presence and bearing witness that we are as a community pledged to Christ’s standards, not the world’s. Just as Jews in Israel, had to cleanse themselves before worshipping in the temple, we now at Mass confess our sins in the Confiteor and ask for God’s Mercy in the prayers, Lord have mercy.

The tone of the liturgy now shifts from sorrowful repentance to joyful praise, the Gloria. The opening line of the Gloria is taken from the words sung by the angels over the fields of Bethlehem, announcing to the shepherds the good news. “Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of good will.”

After praising the Father we have a summary of the Salvation Story with His Son, Jesus Christ the main character, “Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.”

After this hymn of praise and thanksgiving, the priest leads the people in a prayer called the Collect because it gathers all the intentions of the people participating and offers them to the Father in this prayer.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 On Sundays there is a reading from the Old Testament and then from the New Testament before the Gospel.  Remember the Bible is the inspired word of God given to us through the instrument of human writers but God is the author of the Bible.  CCC 105 God is the author of Sacred Scripture. “The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, have been written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”

While the whole of the Bible is inspired, Vatican II taught that the Gospels rightly have “a special place…because they are our principal source for the life and teaching of the Incarnate Word, our Savior, Jesus Christ.” The Gospel is not like a news report but the inspired word of God talking to us today.

The Gospel is usually followed by a homily.  In Greek, homily means explanation.  In the homily, the priest/preacher breaks open the word of God in various ways to assist us in applying it to our lives. After hearing the word of God, we affirm our belief in the Creed, an entire summary of salvation history. In the early Church the Creed was part of the rite of Baptism.

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

The priest offers bread and wine to the Father along with our offerings and asks that these gifts be made holy by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Before offering the wine he places a drop of water in the chalice while saying, “May we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” The priest prays that he may be cleansed from any sins or improprieties by washing his hands. As the priest begins the “sacrifice of the Mass” he prays, “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.”

 LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

This part of the Mass begins with invoking God’s presence once again and affirming it is right and just to give God praise and thanks for all He does and what He is about to do in the transforming the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.  The priest calls upon God to send the Holy Spirit to come upon these gifts (epiclesis) The priest’s prays “Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ”

Soon after, the priest says the words of consecration, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you…  Then the priest takes the chalice, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”

To understand better the words, “Do this in memory of me,” we need the context of the Passover, the Jewish liturgical celebration of their freedom from slavery in Egypt.  Annually, the Jewish community celebrate Passover.  Biblical memorials were not just recalled but re-lived.  A liturgical memorial brings the past and present together, making the long-ago event mystically present for the current generation.

This memorial (anamnesis) at Mass makes what happened in the Upper Room and on Calvary sacramentally present today. This same sacrifice, now in an unbloody manner that Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present.  The power of Jesus’ sacrificial offering is applied to our lives for the daily sins we commit. There is also an increase in sanctifying grace.

After the consecration and raising of the body and blood of Jesus, the priest genuflects and announces the mystery of faith and invites us to proclaim with him what has just taken place, Jesus Christ who died for our sins is truly present on the altar under the appearances of bread and wine.

THE RITE OF PEACE

Many people seek the security and peace of this world, which is a peace based on success and on everything going well.  Christ, however, offers us a deeper, longer lasting peace,  an internal, spiritual peace that can withstand life’s many disappointments, trials, and sufferings.—one that the world does not give. This is the kind of peace of heart that also builds true unity within marriages, families, communities, parishes, and nations. We are invited by the priest to share this peace with our neighbor.

 AGNUS DEI

 Fraction is the breaking of the bread, now the body of Christ.  The priest places a small particle of the bread in the chalice while saying, “May this mingling of the body and blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ bring to us who receive it eternal life.”  When we recite the Agnus Dei, Lamb of God who takes away the sins….we join the chorus of heaven and earth, worshiping the Lamb of God, the Passover Lamb sacrificed for our salvation.

HOLY COMMUNION

In the Book of Revelations an angel instructs John to write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rv 19:9). What is this festive supper of the Lamb? It is the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist.  When the priest says, “Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb,” he echoes the angel’s invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb in the Book of Revelations.

We are being called to participate in the marriage feast of Jesus and his Church.  When you walk down the aisle to receive Holy Communion, as a member of the Church, you are coming to be united to your bridegroom, Jesus. In the spirit of unworthiness, we express our confidence that God is calling us despite our sinfulness.  “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

CONCLUDING RITES

“Go the Mass is ended.”  We are sent forth as Jesus sent forth his disciples, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you,” John 20:21.”  We have been fed and nourished in our faith.  It is our time to spread the Good News! Our mission if we choose to accept it is live the Gospel in words and actions.

 CONCLUSION

Come back to Mass, you will be glad you did and the world will be a better place for your participation.  There is no greater way to give thanks to God the Creator, God the Redeemer, and God the Sanctifier.  One God, three Persons! Your bridegroom awaits you at the wedding feast of the Lamb.

“The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification.  Eucharist means first of all ‘thanksgiving’ ” Catechism of the Catholic Church 1360

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TEN COMMANDMENTS – GOD’S SELF HELP MANUAL

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

INTRODUCTION

In a recent post I talked about asking our shepherds to talk more about the Sin word.  To call a sin, a sin and not be compromised by the world view that often sees sin as a character flaw, a weakness, not a sin (moral relativism)  I have decided to go back to the origin of sin, all the way back to Genesis to our first parents who disobeyed God’s one restriction in the garden.

Remember God is all good and wishes us all well.  He knew when man ate of the tree of good and evil, man would experience evil and its consequences. God will always try to protect mankind but His respect for the gift of free will is of the highest priority.  God will not force the good on us but there are consequences.

After the fall in the garden, later God gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) which are NOT so much prohibitions but a way of living that avoids the consequences of sin. .Some of you are old enough to remember the old Baltimore Catechism, especially the first question, “Why did God make you”  Answer: “God made me to know Him, love Him, and serve Him in this life, and be happy with Him in the next.” This one simple answer says it all It sums up the nature of God as a loving Father and His intention for us to live happily with Him ever after.

The biblical story of the origin of the Ten Commandments suggests that Moses received them directly from God on Mt. Sinai around 1280 B.C. The Bible offers different accounts of the full text of the Ten Commandments; one in the book of Exodus and the other in Deuteronomy. The Catholic Church ascribes to the version in Deuteronomy and follows the division and enumeration provided in the Septuagint, the Old Testament translated from Hebrew into Greek that the early Christians followed.

 REFLECTION GOD’S SELF HELP MANUAL (TEN COMMANDMENTS)

“I AM THE LORD THY GOD, THOU SHALT NOT HAVE ANY STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME.”

This commandment forbids idolatry, the worship of false gods and goddesses. It asserts there is only One God.  False gods or idols can be anything that man puts before this One God including people, fame, fortune and material things.

“THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN.”

The faithful are required to honor the name of God. It makes sense that if you’re to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, then you’re naturally to respect the name of God with equal passion and vigor. You do not curse someone with the name of God, mock God, or dismiss God as irrelevant.

“REMEMBER TO KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY.”

The Jewish celebration of Sabbath (Shabbat) begins at sundown on Friday evening and lasts until sundown on Saturday. Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christians go to church on Sunday, treating it as the Lord’s Day instead of Saturday to honor the day Christ rose from the dead. We take at least one day of the week to give thanks to God who cares for us 24/7. It is not about us it is about paying respect to the God of all.  Some may say it is boring but then, do they believe in God and what is owed God by virtue of our very life and all His blessings.

“HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER.”

This commandment obliges the faithful to show respect for their parents.  Children must obey their parents, and adults must respect and see to the care of their parents, when they become old and infirm. You do not abandon your parents nor support euthanasia for those you deem useless.

“THOU SHALT NOT KILL.”

Killing an innocent person is considered murder. Killing an unjust aggressor to preserve your own life isn’t considered murder or immoral. Abortion is the killing of an innocent child.  That child is growing in the womb of the mother but is not the property of the mother any more than any live born child.

“THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.”

This commandment asks us to honor human sexuality according to natural law and Divine Law. Not only adultery of a married person having relations with someone other than their spouse but includes prohibition of other misuse of our gift of sexuality, fornication which is sex between unmarried people, prostitution, pornography, masturbation, homosexual activity, rape, incest, pedophilia, bestiality, and necrophilia.

“THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.”

This commandments focus on respecting and honoring the possessions of others. This commandment forbids the act of taking someone else’s property. The Catholic Church believes this commandment includes cheating people of their money, depriving people of fair wages, tax evasion and damage to other people’s property including random vandalism.

“THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR.  The Eighth Commandment condemns lying. Because God is regarded as the author of all truth, the Church believes that humans are obligated to honor the truth. To lie about your neighbor may not be killing his/her body but are killing their reputation and who they are to themselves and others.

“THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S WIFE.”

This Commandment forbids the intentional desire and longing for immoral sexuality. To sin in the heart, Jesus says, is to lust after a woman or a man in your heart with the desire and will to have immoral sex with them. Catholicism regards human sexuality as a divine gift, so it’s considered sacred in the proper context — marriage. Lusting in the heart is a heartbeat from lustfull immoral actions

“THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S GOODS.”

The Tenth Commandment forbids the wanting to or taking someone else’s property. This commandment condemns theft along with feelings of envy, greed, and jealousy in reaction to what other people have.

Most readers of the summary of commandments above can anticipate the disastrous results when these commandments are not followed:.  Abusive relationships, dysfunctional families, the weak and vulnerable oppressed and bullied, no moral compass outside themselves, abandoned, ignored and diminished people who we deem not worthy of our respect and care.

WHAT DOES JESUS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT GOD’S LAW

Now a word from Jesus in the New Testament on GOD’S SELF HELP MANUAL.  In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 

You will find Jesus’ self-help manual in Matthew 5:3-16, Sermon on the Mount-the Beatitudes.

CONCLUSION

God wants us to be happy. Jesus puts an exclamation point on this in the Sermon on the Mount. Another name for “blessed” is happy

Worldly wisdom often complains that the Church’s moral teachings make people miserable. But the Church argues that being moral is the only way to be happy. Augustine said it best: “In seeking you, my God, I seek a happy life” (Confessions, 10, 20).

The prevalent despair, obsessive behavior, and anxiety in our culture arise not from being moral, but from the abandonment of the moral law. Of course, happiness is mixed with sorrow and the inevitable tragedies of life.

There are no perfect families, perfect marriages, perfect parishes—nothing human is perfect. Part of our moral quest and journey home  to God and all the saints includes carrying our cross.

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JESUS IN SCRIPTURE NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS

SCRIPTURE

COMMENTARY

Today’s blog takes up a couple of Jesus’ teachings reminding us that there is only one “master”, one God that is worthy of our praise and obedience.  Jesus reminds us also that worry is pretty much a waste of time. Trust in Him is what we need to work on,  All good things and blessings are from God.

In our suffering which will naturally come, God is present in support and empathy as He was on Calvary when His Son gave His life for the life of the world. Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another, whether that is a donation of a kidney or visiting the sick, or even giving into some other person’s agenda. “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. “  Luke 17:33

YOU CAN’T SERVE TWO MASTERS MATTHEW 6:24

“No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “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. Are not you more important than they?   Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span.

 So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’   All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. 

 REFLECTION

Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Trust in God…there is no other…with God all will be well…worry never solved a problem…though my body may suffer…let no harm come to my soul…God knows the needs of my flesh…let not my soul be found wanting in pursuit of the flesh…pray that I may desire the holiness that transcends all earthly creatures… God is the one Master I seek to serve… seek first the kingdom of heaven and all things will be given to me…Blessed be the Lord…

 LUKE 20: 20-26   RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR

RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR MARK 12:17

They watched him closely and sent agents pretending to be righteous who were to trap him in speech, in order to hand him over to the authority and power of the governor.  They posed this question to him, “Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is correct, and you show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?”  Recognizing their craftiness he said to them, “Show me a denarius; whose image and name does it bear?”

 They replied, “Caesar’s.” So he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”  They were unable to trap him by something he might say before the people, and so amazed were they at his reply that they fell silent.

 REFLECTION:

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s…my very life is God’s…the air I breathe…what isn’t God’s…what is not to be grateful for…I have life on earth because God gave it to me…I have the potential of eternal life in heaven because His only begotten Son, Jesus earned it for me on the cross….

 Is my heart as generous as God’s…do I give back to God by giving to my neighbor….do I share God’s bounty with others less fortunate… does my use of earthly things give glory to God… or do I grasp things of this world just for my pleasure….do I obey man made laws as long as they don’t conflict with God made laws….The Father Son and Holy Spirit are the TRUTH THE WAY AND THE LIFE!

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