PARABLES OF JESUS 1

SCRIPTURE

THE PRODIGAL SON LUKE 15:11-24

A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. 

After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.  When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.  So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 

And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.  Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.

I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”‘

So he got up and went back to his father.  While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.

He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’

REFLECTION:

‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me

This son has no right to any inheritance he might receive after his father’s death.  Do we make demands for things we have no right to?

he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.

Do we squander the graces we receive from God?

Coming to his senses…I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you

REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL! Turn back to god.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion

The Father in this parable is longing for his son’s return the same way God thirsts for us.  

the Father clothed him in the finest garment and ordered a feast for this son who was dead and has come to life again…he was lost and has been found….

so it is with God when we turn from sin and return to the Father…He places a wedding garment on our shoulders and welcomes us to the feast….

THE SOWER AND THE SEED MARK 4:2-8

In those days Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.  When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve. 

Jesus taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them,

“Hear this!  A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil.

It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.

 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.  It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” 

 REFLECTION:

Jesus sows the word…those sown on rocky ground receive it at once with joy… but when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away….

Those sown among thorns are the people who hear the word, but the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit…

but those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold…

Does the word bear fruit in my life? … How?

What must I do to enrich my soil…that I may bear fruit?

 

EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1

SCRIPTURE

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are [in Ephesus] faithful in Christ Jesus: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Father’s Plan of Salvation. 5-6

GOD THE CREATOR

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish…

In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

Fulfillment through Christ. 7-10                  

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.

In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery* of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him…

Inheritance through the Spirit. 11-14

COME HOLY SPIRIT

…In him you also, have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment* of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.

REFLECTION

In this first chapter of a letter to the Ephesians, Paul calls to mind the Most Blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God in three Persons.

At the Council of Nicea 325 and Constantinople 381, the Bishops of the world declared definitively that Jesus the Word made Flesh was the same substance as the Father and that the Holy Spirit was the Lord and giver of Life proceeding from the Father and the Son

From all eternity, without beginning there is One God in three Divine Persons.  It is a mystery of our Faith that we can never fully comprehend or exhaust but we are able to speak about it.

How do you relate to the Father??? to the Son??? To the Holy Spirit???

If a man loves me, says the Lord, he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” John 17:21-23

Is our home (self) ready to receive the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? If not, what house cleaning must we do?

CLOSING PRAYER

Most Holy and Blessed Trinity we acknowledge you as the central mystery of our Faith.  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are one God in Three Persons.  Let this mystery of our faith not confound us but draw us into the abiding love you have for each other and for us, in Jesus’ name we pray!

MIRACLES OF JESUS

MIRACLES OF JESUS, MIRACLES OF JESUS, SCRIPTURE

                             

JESUS HEALS THE PARALYTIC

MARK 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, Why does this man speak that way?* He is blaspheming.

Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”— he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”

He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

REFLECTION

Many gathered around the place of Jesus so there was no room anymore…so many needs…one messiah and healer…Where there is a will there is a way…Trust in Jesus

Perseverance in prayer and faithfulness pays off in the end…when Jesus saw their faith He said, “Child your sins are forgiven.”…

WHY SINS? Why not? Sins are the cause for a fallen broken world. Nothing weighs as heavily as unrepentant sin.

Jesus left the crowd astounded and in awe of His authority Are we astounded and in awe of Jesus’ power and mercy?

MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES

JOHN 6:5-15

When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”  He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little (bit).”  One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”  Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. 

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.  When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”  So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

REFLECTION

Jesus saw the needs of the people without being told…Jesus sees our needs too…do we seek Jesus when in need?

Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks…Jesus is always thankful to the Father…Jesus trusts the Father…Are we thankful each day for all God’s gifts

Those in the crowd had their fill…there was much left over…our God is a God of abundance…. give thanks to God for He is good…

Are we generous in our gifts to others…plus our time, our empathy,

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD

JOHN 16-27

IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE!

(Jesus said to his disciples,) “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.”  So the disciples said to him, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.” But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep.  So then Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus has died.  And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him.”…

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him…Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  (But) even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.”  Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.”  Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God…

Jesus said, “Take away the stone…So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me.  I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”  And when he had said this, he cried out in a loud voice,

LAZARUS COME OUT

The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial bands, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”  Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary and Martha and seen what he had done began to believe in him. 

REFLECTION

Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died….Jesus is glad he was not there so that he can perform this miracle before witnesses that they might believe in him and him who sent him…

Jesus wants witnesses to this miracle and why not because He has come to defeat sin and death a consequence of sin, Jesus is our Redeemer and Savior….and wants everyone to believe He is the resurrection and live.

Martha believes if Jesus had been there her brother would not have died …Jesus tells her, I am the resurrection and life, whoever believes me will never die…Jesus asks Martha if she believe this…Do I believe this…

Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb…Lazarus comes out…and many began this day to believe in Jesus…

What does it take for me to believe in Jesus…I mean really believe and trust in Him even my prayer as I see it goes unanswered.  God hears all our prayers and will answer with what is best for me…Can I accept that!

 

WHERE IS GOD???

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

 

WHERE ARE WE???

 INTRODUCTION

God is in the picture above.  God is everywhere. God is omnipresent!  If God was gone so would we be gone into non-existence.   God is existence itself.  (I Am).  God is in your home, at your work, in your park, and at the bowling alley…. Where are we when it comes to God?

We may be living through the most troubling times of our lives and ask ourselves, why isn’t God doing something about this? Doesn’t God care!  God does care! He watches.  He sees. He cares.

Look at the “chosen” people in the Old Testament when they turned away from God, what was the result of going on their own… famine, slavery, and exile. Not only separated from the one true God but also their homes and native lands. They needed to turn back to God and so do we.

In this world today, God has been pushed to the margins, denied, ridiculed, mocked and suppressed by man-made laws and moral relativists who make up their own truth. Is it any wonder that we who abandon God suffer the fate of going it on our own.  Consequences of sin.

God’s wrath is not of an angry person out of control but is felt as a consequence of our sins.  God is holy and the unrepentant sinner cannot endure His holiness; the sinner experiences God’s holiness as wrath.  Unrepentant sin is totally incompatible with the holiness of God.

God heard the cries of Israel enslaved in Egypt in the Book of Exodus. Back then, they were crying out for deliverance for decades.  What about our patience and perseverance?

 Let us imitate St Paul

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race;f I have kept the faith.  From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8

ISAIAH THE PROPHET WARNS US IN OLD TESTAMENT

For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their actions are against the Lord,
To rebel against His glorious presence. Their very look bears witness against them; they boast of their sin like Sodom. They do not hide it. Woe to them! They deal out evil to themselves. Woe to them!  Happy the just, for it will go well with them, the fruit of their works they will eat.  ISAIAH 3:8

CONCLUSION.

We live in an immoral world perhaps like never before. We sacrifice our young in the womb; we approve of same sex couples marrying. God never wills evil but allows evil to happen out of respect for our free will.  We no longer live in the world that God made but the world we have made

Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment.  For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God, a Moral conscience (CCC #1776-1778)

 

PRAY. PRAY. PRAY

FOR OURSELVES, OUR NEIGHBOR, OUR COUNTRY

 

 

 

WHO TOUCHED ME!

SCRIPTURE

WHO TOUCHED ME?

And a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years,* who [had spent her whole livelihood on doctors and] was unable to be cured by anyone, came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. Immediately her bleeding stopped.

Jesus then asked, “Who touched me?” While all were denying it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are pushing and pressing in upon you.” But Jesus said, “Someone has touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me.” When the woman realized that she had not escaped notice, she came forward trembling.

Falling down before him, she explained in the presence of all the people why she had touched him and how she had been healed immediately. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace.”t Luke 8:43-48

REFLECTION

In the beautiful picture above Jesus asks Who touched me? Power has gone out from Jesus…; for I know that power has gone out from me…Let us seek that power…

What released that power from Jesus? the woman fell down before Jesus and confessed her faith in Jesus… if I but touch him…How is my faith…Do I reach out to Jesus…only in crisis?

Jesus is a healer…he can’t help himself…Come unto Me all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jesus calls on all of us to seek healing in Him. Why not?

Come without delay…there is nothing I cannot forgive and heal…

Come forth…touch me…and see…(JESUS)

 

 

 

 

 

MIRACLES

MIRACLES OF JESUS, SCRIPTURE

JESUS RAISES THE WIDOW’S SON FROM THE DEAD LUKE 7:11-23

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.  As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. 

When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”    The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 

Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst, “God has visited his people.”  This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and to all the surrounding region. 

REFLECTION:

God has visited His people. How often do I acknowledge this in humble prayer and thanksgiving? The Good News of God visiting his people spread throughout the region…do I spread the good news in my daily life to others…

…God is with us…Jesus raising the dead widow’s son gives us all hope that Jesus will one day raise us from death to eternal life.

JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA MATTHEW 14:25-36

During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 

At once (Jesus) spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 

But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

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

REFLECTION:

Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  How many fears I have…how little trust in Jesus…how far do I have to sink before I cry out, Lord, save me

I hear in the silence of my soul…Oh you of little faith…Come to me you who are labored and burdened…

with Jesus anything is possible…no real harm will come to me…unless I separate myself from Jesus…

JESUS HEALS BLIND BARTIMAEUS MARK 10:46-52

As he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 

Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”  Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

REFLECTION:

A blind beggar beside the road…just like the rest of us…in need …broken…Jesus Son of David have pity on me….

Jesus asks Bartimaeus, What do you want me to do for you? …Jesus knows what we need before we ask…but He waits to hear it from our own lips…Why is that do you think?

I pray, Lord, that I may see… remove the blinders of material attachments from my heart…that I may see clearly to follow you on the way… that I may give glory to the Father…

 

 

 

 

PENTECOST SUNDAY MAY 19 2024

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

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

 INTRODUCTION

Pentecost means fiftieth. The Jewish festival of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, was first spoken of in Exodus 23:16 as “the feast of harvest,” and again in Exodus 34:22 as “the day of the first fruits. This Jewish feast celebrates the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai.

The Christian feast of Pentecost is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, We mark it as the birthday of the Church when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in tongues of fire.

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, equal to the Father and equal to the Son.  The term Spirit comes from the Hebrew word, ruach, meaning breath or air. His presence on the world stage is made known in Scripture in its earliest book, Genesis.

In the First Creation Story in Genesis 1:2 the Spirit of God was moving over the face of deep waters, bringing order out of chaos. In the Second Creation Story, Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the land and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.”

The Blessed Trinity is not complete without the Holy Spirit whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son.  “Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever.” …One God…three Divine Persons.

“By contemplating Himself from all eternity, The Father begets the mirror image of Himself, God the Son… The Father and Son see each other in infinite Divine beauty and embrace in infinite love.  The Spirit is that love that proceeds between Father and Son.” Catechism of the Council of Trent 1545

PENTECOST SUNDAY 33 AD

MARY AND THE APOSTLES IN THE UPPER ROOM

 Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised his disciples that he would pray to his Father that the Holy Spirit be given to them.   Jesus promised “The Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you.”  John 14:26

 “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…” Acts 2:1-3

While the Holy Apostles were generally ignorant of the Holy Spirit at this time, the Immaculate Mary knew the Spirit intimately. Mary was possessed by the Holy Spirit and filled with grace at the first moment of her existence. Moreover, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary in a powerful way at the virginal conception of Christ our Lord.

The Holy Spirit overshadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation and she conceived the body of Christ, Our Lord. Now the Holy Spirit at Pentecost mystically conceives the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church.

Through the Holy Spirit, our faith is awakened.  We are inspired to know Jesus and the One who sent Him.  The Holy Spirit stirs up in us repentance for sin and conversion.  Until the end of time, the Spirit guides, protects, and inspires the Church of Christ and its members.

Come Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life.

 REFLECTION

 How do I interact with the Holy Spirit? What prayers do I say?   

Do I call on Him, before reading scripture…before making difficult decisions… for protection against temptation?

 How can my relationship to the Spirit assist me to overcome tendencies in pride, anger, lust, greed, envy, excess, and laziness…do I ever thank the Holy Spirit for his assistance.?

 If you feel God has abandoned you or stepped away, take heart. Consider the disciples after Jesus left the earth. We are not left alone but kept safe guided by His Spirit.

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26

 ST. AUGUSTINE PRAYER TO HOLY SPIRIT

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.

Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.

Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COME FOLLOW ME

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, SCRIPTURE

Jesus summoned the crowd and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel* will save it.

MARK 8:34-38


TAKE UP YOURCROSS AND FOLLOW ME

I must lose my life to save it.  This saying of Jesus at first glance seems to make no sense. We cling to our lives. to what seems to make us happy and comfortable. We are number one. Are we? Who better to know what is good for us than the one who loved us into existence, our Father in heaven.

Jesus summoned the crowd. Whenever Jesus summons a crowd in Scripture you know He has some very important information to share. Jesus will lay out what it means to be His disciple. What it means to be a disciple is to conform to Jesus, to be Jesus in this world to others.

Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. MARK 8:34-38

I have always thought if we don’t pay attention to Jesus here on earth in this lifetime why would we want to spend eternal life with Jesus?  Would Jesus even recognize us if we have been a stranger here on earth?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,* but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven….  Matthew 7:21-23

WHAT DOTH IT PROFIT A MAN

MARK 8:34

“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” Jesus is talking about end times, for some of us sooner than later.  You can’t take anything material with you.  What would you pack if you could take a suitcase?

How have I loved?  Am I thankful for the life God has gifted me with?  Have I borne witness to Christ or have I been ashamed, embarrassed,or fearful, to bear witness to Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Is life eternal with God something I will be compatible with or have I been estranged in my life on earth?

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST MUST EVANGELIZE

JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

The baptized have become “living stones” to be “built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood.”74 By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ…They are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”75 

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1268

“The faith we have received is a gift that came to us, in many cases, from our mothers/grandmothers and fathers/grandfathers. They were the living memory of Jesus Christ within our homes. It was in the family that most of us learned to pray, to love and to live the faith.” U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.2016

All baptized Christians are called to do the work of God, not just priests and religious, All Christians are commissioned through our baptism to be other Christs in the world. All of us were chosen by God to be on mission.

To be a disciple of Jesus means a daily renewal of our relationship with Jesus. If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me… whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” Luke 9

  FOR MY YOKE IS EASY, MY BURDEN LIGHT 

                Matthew 11:30

We don’t give up anything when we turn our lives over to Jesus?  What are we afraid of?  Why don’t people want to learn more about Jesus??? Jesus is all about love.  What are we afraid of? We will never be asked more than we can handle.  Any cross we have to bear with Jesus is designed for us because Jesus knows it is the path to love!

What are some crosses we may be asked to bear?  Sometimes health, maybe even cancer, getting along with family members, providing for our family needs, welcoming children into our families, visiting the sick, taking care of elderly parents and so forth.

Witnesses testify not only with words but their lives. It is not enough to discover Christ for ourselves, we must bring Him to others.

We, on earth, are now God’s instruments, His voice, His deeds.  Imitation and proclamation of Jesus Christ is not an option.  Our mission is the salvation of souls.  It is unthinkable that a person accepts the Word for himself and keeps that light to himself, without bearing witness to others.

CLOSING PRAYER

With the guidance of the Most Holy Spirit,

we pray that we may accurately and lovingly pass on the faith given by Christ

 so that others may know Jesus in their hearts,

Worship Jesus in Liturgy,

and follow Jesus’ moral teachings in their daily lives.

 

TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

 

TAKE AND RECEIVE

According to Pew Research Center, only 31% of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The US CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS is addressing this issue by launching The NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL.

It’s mission is to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist,”

In summer of 2024, thousands are expected to participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage beginning from each corner of the country and ending in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress July 17–24.

 LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

”The priest takes the host saying these 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.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME

Jesus is truly present on the altar, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. The separate consecration of bread and wine represents the death of Christ by the separation of His Body and Blood.

To understand better the words, “Do this in memory of me,” we need the context of Old Testament stories like 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.

We are then present at Calvary, a witness to Jesus’ bloody sacrifice for our salvation but this time in an un-bloody manner but the same sacrificial offering. Jesus is truly present, body and blood, soul and divinity

 HOLY COMMUNION

In the Book of Revelations an angel instructs St. John to write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (REV 19:9).

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 we go to receive Holy Communion, as a member of the Church, we are coming to be united to our bridegroom, Jesus.

THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God fulfills the Old Testament by allowing Himself to be slain for the forgiveness of sins and rise again, conquering the consequence of sin, death.  We thank God that we received Christ physically hoping He receives us divinely.

Come back to Mass, you will be glad you did and the world will be a better place for your participation in the cloud of witnesses.   Hebrews 12:1

GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD THE CREATOR, GOD THE REDEEMER, AND GOD THE SANCTIFIER.  ONE GOD, THREE PERSONS!

WE REMEMBER, WE CELEBRATE, WE BELIEVE!

 

GOD’S COVENANTAL PROMISES

SCRIPTURE

The Promise of a Savior!

God chose to reveal His plan of salvation through His Covenantal promises. Covenants and contracts are not the same. . In a covenant you exchange your very being, “I am yours and you are mine.” In a contract, you exchange something you have – a skill, a piece of property, money.

The difference between covenant and contract in the Old Testament and throughout the Bible is profound. it’s the difference between prostitution (contract) and marriage (covenant). Or between owning a slave (contract) and having a son (covenant.)  .

Biblical Covenants
1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26–2:3)
2. Noah and his family (Genesis 9:8-17)
3. Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-14; 22:16-18)
4. Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 19:5-6; 3:4-10; 6:7)
5. David and the Kingdom of Israel (2 Samuel 7:8-19)
6. Jesus and the Church (Matthew 26:28; 16:17-19)
Each covenant in the Bible contain

* Mediator (the person God makes the covenant with) and his covenant role (whom the mediator represents);
* the blessings promises in the covenant;
* the conditions of the covenant;
* the “sign” by which the covenant will be celebrated and remembered. 
* the “form” that God’s family becomes as a result of the covenant.

The Covenant with Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26–2:3)

Adam is the covenant mediator in his role as husband. God promises blessings – that their union will be fruitful and their offspring will fill the earth and rule over it. God establishes a sign by which the covenant will be remembered and celebrated – the Sabbath, the seventh day of rest.  God imposes one condition that they must keep to fulfill their obligation under the covenant – that they not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And God attaches a curse for disobedience – that they will surely die. By this covenant, God’s family assumes the form of the marriage bond between husband and wife.

  

The Covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17)

God promises never again to destroy the world by flood. The covenant is made with all humanity, through the mediator, Noah, in his role as the father of his family.

The covenant includes blessings to Noah and his family (that they will be fruitful and fill the earth) and conditions that must be obeyed (not to drink the blood of any animals, not to shed human blood). The sign of the covenant is the rainbow in the sky. By this covenant, God’s people assumes the form of a domestic household, an extended family.

The Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-14; 22:16-18)

God promises to give Abraham a great land and to bless his descendants. God makes the covenant with the mediator Abraham in his representative role as chieftain. God promises the blessings of land and a great nationhood for his descendants, and through them to bless all the nations of the earth.

The sign of the covenant is the mark of circumcision.  an outward physical sign of the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people.  For the Israelites. circumcision was a religious rite representing God’s blessings and Israel obedience to God. Circumcision and what it represents is also the condition that Abraham and his descendants must obey in order to keep the covenant. By this covenant, God’s family takes a “tribal” form.

REFLECTION

 God’s covenant with Abraham is a promise of a great nation as long as they keep the sign of the covenant.  Of course, we know from history the many times Israel  lost their great nation by straying from God’s will, the Syrians, the Persions, the Romans…

How is our nation doing today?  What is my part in bringing our nation back to God?

 The Covenant with Moses (Exodus 19:5-6; 3:4-10; 6:7)

By this covenant, made with the mediator Moses in his representative role as the judge and liberator of Israel, God swears to be Israel’s God and Israel swears to worship no other but the Lord God alone. The blessings promised are that they will be God’s precious chosen people.

The conditions of the covenant are that they must keep God’s Law and commandments.  The covenant sign is the Passover, which each year commemorates Israel’s birth as a nation. God’s family assumes the form of a “holy nation, a kingdom of priests.”

REFLECTION

 Israel swears to worship no other God but the Lord God alone!

How about us?  How many false gods out there tempt us, riches?, fame,? pleasure? …

When we fall to temptation what do we do? do we deny it, make excuses, or reconcile with God?

The Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:8-19)
God promises to establish the mediator David’s “house” or kingdom forever. through David’s heir, To David in his role as king, God promises to make David’s son His son, to punish David if he does wrong but never take away his royal throne. “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever.” Through the blessings of this kingdom, God promises to give wisdom to all the nations. The sign of the covenant will be the throne and Temple to be built by David’s son, Solomon. By this covenant, God’s family grows to take the form of a royal empire, a national kingdom.

 

I AM THE WAY,THE TRUTH, THE LIFE

The sixth and final covenant is made through the mediator Jesus, who by His Cross and Resurrection assumes the role of royal high priest and fulfills all the promises God made in the previous covenants.

The Bible isn’t simply a collection of separate poems and histories and prophecies written over the course of centuries. It’s one book that tells a single story.  The Bible is the story of God’s love for His people. It’s the story of how God slowly and patiently unfolded his plan for the world, how He taught His people the reason they were created – to share His life with Him, to be part of His family, to be His children.  He wants us to share in His very Being in the most  Blessed Trinity.

 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.*

Because of this, God greatly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name*

that is above every other name,

Phillipians 2:6-11