SCRIPTURE

1 PETER CHAPTER 4

CATHOLIC LETTERS

LETTER OF ST. PETER

CHRISTIAN RESTRAINT 1-6

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude. For whoever suffers in the flesh has broken with sin, so as not to spend what remains of one’s life in the flesh on human desires, but on the will of God.

For the time that has passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles like to do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and wanton idolatry.

They are surprised that you do not plunge into the same swamp of profligacy, and they vilify you; but they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead

REFLECTION

We must deny ourselves daily and attach ourselves to the will of God.  We must fast from more than food.  We must remove ourselves from any addiction that separates us from God.

If Christ suffered from deprivation why not us his disciples?  We certainly are not superior to the Master.  The flesh is weak and easily manipulated by the devil as he tempts us to choose to be our own gods like he did our first parents. .

The Gentiles (The World) vilifies Christians for not participating in their depravity.  The pressure to go along to get along is immense! Many man-made laws go against God’s laws.  We must choose to love God and His will over the way of the world that subjects us to the latest trends and popular poll numbers.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.   Matthew 7:13-14

SAINT PETER MARTYR

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,  The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

 TRIAL OF PERSECUTION 12-19

Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer….

And if the righteous one is barely saved, where will the godless and the sinner appear?” As a result, those who suffer in accord with God’s will, hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good.

REFLECTION

 Peter was a martyr for the faith.  “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.”

Persecution of Christians may not be as bloody today as it was in earlier centuries but the un-bloody persecution today is just as severe and prevalent.

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…            John 15:18-20

….Let us rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us   Hebrews 12:1

OBEDIENCE OF FAITH CATHOLIC CATECHISM #144

 To obey in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself… The Virgin Mary is its most perfect embodiment.

 

 

 

1 PETER CHAPTER 2

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LETTER OF ST. PETER

 INTRODUCTION

Christian tradition regarded Peter the apostle as author of this document.  Its themes and concepts reflect Peter’s experiences and his associations in the period of our Lord’s earthly ministry.

Peter’s letters both inspire and admonish. The letters constantly mingles moral exhortation to persevere in the way of the Lord.  As we suffer with Christ we will rise with Christ if we remain faithful, 

 Letters of Peter, together with the Letters of James the three Letters of John and the Letter of Jude are part of the seven so-called Catholic Letters.

As the history of the New Testament canon shows, the Catholic Letters were among the last of the biblical literature to be settled on as canonical.  Peter was martyred at Rome during the persecution of Nero between A.D. 64 and 67, it is supposed that the letter was written from Rome shortly before his death.

1 PETER CHAPTER 2

God’s House and People. 1-12

Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, insincerity, envy, and all slander like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation, for you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Come to him, a living stone,* rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For it says in scripture: “Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.” Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.

But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were “no people” but now you are God’s people; you “had not received mercy” but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners* to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.

 REFLECTION

a cornerstone, chosen and precious,… This cornerstone, Jesus, We build our whole life around. There is no other!  We are motivated, moved, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, the breath of life. Is Jesus your cornerstone or a stumbling block?  In this letter Peter urges us… to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. Our good works give glory to God and work for salvation of all!

 Christian Citizens 13-25

 Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king as supreme or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the approval of those who do good. For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people.

JESUS PAYS TEMPLE TAX

Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God. Give honor to all, love the community, Fear God, honor the king…when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered* for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.

By his wounds you have been healed.  For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

REFLECTION

 Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake …Obey lawful laws of lawful government.  Jesus obeyed Roman law as it was the will of the Father. Jesus paid the temple tax.

Fear God, honor the king…We are expected to obey laws otherwise there would be division and chaos, the devil’s playground. This does not mean every civil law is moral and as martyrs in heaven have shown we choose God’s law over man-made laws when they are in conflict.

 when you suffer for doing what is good…this is in imitation of Jesus.,,,, By his wounds you have been healed. Jesus invites us to participate in our redemption by uniting our suffering to Christ crucified in gift to the Father.

LETTER OF JAMES CHAPTER THREE

CATHOLIC LETTERS, SCRIPTURE

SAINT JAMES APOSTLE

BISHOP OF JERUSALEM. AND EVANGELIST

 TAMING THE TONGUE 3:1-12

….we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.   If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.

It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination wishes. In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions….

For every kind of beast, bird, reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  This need not be so, my brothers.  Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.

REFLECTION

 In this Scripture passage, James reminds us of the damage we can do with speech. The tongue can and is likely to do grave damage to other human beings, (made in the likeness and image of God) in gossip, curses, judgments, and name calling etc.

All of these deadly evils begin in the heart. “Harden not your hearts,” Hebrews 3:8

 God makes a New Covenant in our hearts. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people Jerimiah 31:33

 For I will pour out water on the thirsty land….I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants; Isaiah 44:3

…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water (Spirit) springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14

….Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity…hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness…I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:15-23

 TRUE WISDOM. 3:13-18

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

REFLECTION

 True wisdom is seeking to be image of God.  Jesus’s commands, Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48.

God our Father, Abba Father, make us whole again.  Overcome our inclination to evil (sin) Make us fresh again, remove the debris in our hearts, let us be wise in our choices and discern with the aid of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name we pray!

 

LETTER OF JAMES CHAPTER TWO

CATHOLIC LETTERS

SAINT JAMES APOSTLE

BISHOP OF JERUSALEM. AND EVANGELIST

 INTRODUCTION

James wrote to a very partial age, filled with prejudice and hatred based on class, ethnicity, nationality, and religious background. In the ancient world people were routinely and permanently categorized because they were Jew or Gentile, slave or free, rich or poor…..

A significant aspect of the work of Jesus was to break down these walls that divided humanity, and to bring forth one new race of mankind in Him Ephesians 2:14-15

The unity and openness of the early church was shocking to the ancient world. But this unity didn’t come automatically. As this command from James shows, the apostles had to teach the early church to never hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ… with partiality.

 MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT JAMES 2:1-13

My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?*

Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor* in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?  But you dishonored the poor person….

 However, if you fulfill the royal* law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

For whoever keeps the whole law, but falls short in one particular, has become guilty in respect to all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not kill.”  Even if you do not commit adultery but kill, you have become a transgressor of the law…For the judgment is merciless to one who has not shown mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

REFLECTION

 James’ use of the term partiality reminds us of the caution not to judge others, Judge not lest you be judged!  Matthew 7:1

How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite,* remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye. Matt. 7:4-5

We should not choose on appearances. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart 1 Samuel 16:7 God looks at the heart and so should we.

We should recognize all our brothers and sisters who are all made in the same image and likeness of God as we are. God is one God but three persons in love with each other in the Most Holy Trinity.  We are made to love and be loved.

When we assume that the rich man is more important to God or more blessed by God, we put too much value in material riches. When God came to earth he came to a little known part of this earth, born in poverty.

QUESTION TO PONDER

Why did God choose to come into this world in poverty?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 THE MERCY WE SHOW TO OTHERS WILL BE EXTENDED

TO US AGAIN ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.

 FAITH AND WORKS. JAMES 2:14-26

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?   If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?  So also faith if it does not have works, is dead.

Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works.

 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God….  For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

REFLECTION

By Faith we mean our complete submission of intellect and will to God.  If we really believe something we will follow through and act upon it. God cannot and will not deceive. There is a difference in believing in a God and believing God.

I could say I believe in God and Jesus as my Lord and Savior and not be saved because I chose my way of doing things over God’s will. “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 Matt.7:21

The faith that saves is never alone. Works must accompany a genuine faith, because genuine faith is always connected with conversion, becoming a new creation in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 God is beyond anything we can say about him or think about him. God is always more. God in his love for us and his desire for relationship has revealed himself in His Creation and Divine revelation thru Scripture.  God is mystery.  We will never understand the Most Holy Trinity fully. In our faith journey, doubts will come and go.  A million doubts do not mean a denial of faith in God who is truthful, trustworthy, and beyond deceit.

 “LORD I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF.” MARK 9:24

 

 

 

CATHOLIC LETTERS OF NEW TESTAMENT

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LETTER OF JAMES CHAPTER ONE

JAMES THE LESSER

 INTRODUCTION

This letter, which was accepted as canonical from the second century onward, is attributed to James, the son of Cleophas and of Mary, the Blessed Virgin’s sister or cousin.

To distinguish him from the other James, the son of Zebedee Matt. 10:2-4, this James is called “the less” and, also, “the brother (cousin) of the Lord” James the younger” here has also been translated “James the less”

From the Book of Acts we know that James enjoyed great authority in the church of Jerusalem Acts 15:13-19.

Paul also describes him as one of the pillars of the Church and gives him a prominent place among those to whom our Lord appeared after his Resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:7

James the apostle (the less) was, then, bishop of Jerusalem until his death in the year 62. He wrote his letter around the year 60. In it he shows himself to be steeped in the Old Testament and in the teachings of Jesus deriving from the Sermon on the Mount.

EXCERPTS FROM CHAPTER ONE

PERSEVERANCE IN TRIAL

 VERSES 1-4

James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing* of your faith produces perseverance….. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 VERSES 12-13

Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.*No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.

REFLECTION

 James speaks of himself as a slave to God.  The word slave today has many bad connotations. James means he is committed to God’s will.  How committed are we?

Sometimes we fail. Our will, wishes, desires will get the best of us. God tempts no one. Satan tempts God tries.. God will never tempt us to evil but sometimes He allows it as a test of our faith as in the case of Job (Book of Job)

A faith untested is not much of a faith, God wants us to choose freely to love him and serve him

God respects our free will and will never force us to choose Him…..An enormous responsibility on our part… we must pray that we choose God’s will every day and avoid anything that would separate us even for a moment.  Our intention is to live all eternity with God why not start now!

DOERS OF THE WORD.

 VERSES 19-25

Know this, my dear brothers….Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.  He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like.  But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does.

REFLECTION

Peers into the perfect law. The perfect law refers to the Old Testament Mosaic law and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Faith Without Works Is Dead.  James 2:14 At the time of Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther proclaimed Faith alone can save you so he left Epistle of James out of his bible. Luther was wrong then and still wrong today. Only doing the will of Father can save me. Moved by grace, we submit our intellect and will to God.

We need faith and works.  What good is it to say I believe in Jesus Lord and Savior then act like we don’t?  There is a difference in believing in a God and believing God.

A belief in a God is faith of intellect but does not bring about change or conversion. I can still acknowledge the Lord and not be saved by going about my merry way like the old Frank Sinatra tune “I did it my way!”

We are reminded by the words of Jesus, Himself, “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father” Matthew 7:21.

 

 

 

ROMANS CHAPTER 8

SCRIPTURE

JESUS IS TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS

 the flesh and the spirit.

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

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

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

children of god through adoption.

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

 destiny of glory.

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

god’s indomitable love in christ.

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

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

REFLECTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LUST OF THE FLESH

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

LUST OF THE EYES (POSSESSION)

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

PRIDE OF LIFE

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

 

 

 

GOD’S ABUNDANT GENEROSITY TO LABORERS IN HIS FIELD

SCRIPTURE

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

John 1:16

 SCRIPTURE

 MATTHEW 20:1-16

 The Workers in the Vineyard

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

He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.

So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.

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

ARE YOU ENVIOUS BECAUSE I AM GENEROUS

REFLECTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BOOK OF JONAH

1 Comment / SCRIPTURE

INTRODUCTION

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

 CHAPTER ONE

Jonah 1:1-16

 Jonah’s Disobedience and Flight.

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

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

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

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

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

JONAH IS TOSSED OVERBOARD

 REFLECTION

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER TWO

Jonah 2:1-11

Jonah’s Prayer

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

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

JONAH IS SAVED

REFLECTION

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

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

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

CHAPTER THREE

Jonah 3:1-10

 Jonah’s Obedience and the Ninevites’ Repentance.

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

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

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

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

JONAH PREACHES REPENTANCE TO THE NINEVITES

REFLECTION

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

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

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

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

 CHAPTER FOUR

Jonah 4:1-11

 Jonah’s Anger and God’s Reproof.

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

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

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

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

JONAH IS ANGRY WITH GOD

REFLECTION

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

JESUS IN SCRIPTURE NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 6:24-34 NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS

“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:

 Mammon in this passage refers to any treasure or god you put before God…Our God demands full commitment…Listen to Great Commandment once more, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength. Take to heart these words which I command you today. Keep repeating them to your children. Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up…. Deuteronomy 6:5-7

 These words spoken by Moses at God’s command are as true today as when Jesus spoke them to His disciples in the Gospel of Saint Matthew.

 “Teacher,* which commandment in the law is the greatest? He said to him,* “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it:* You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36

 No one likes to talk about masters, especially today. when the very roots of our country are sown with masters and slaves.  But Jesus is not talking here about ownership and denial of freedom in a plantation sense.  He is talking about what we value will determine our behavior. 

If we value greed, are we ready to share with those in need?  If we value power, will we be willing to share with the marginalized?  If we value pleasure, will we be willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus?

 Jesus asks the question, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Well is life more than food, clothes, cars, 401ks, fame and fortune. Is it?  Is this world on earth all there is? …or is there “resurrection of the body and life everlasting” as we state in our Creed every Sunday?

Where will we spend eternity?…with a friend, Jesus, we made in this life or be by ourselves with our addictions and lusts…”Enter by the narrow gate,” Jesus says.  Jesus is the gate, the way, the truth and life….There is no other path to eternal life. 

 Jesus became human while remaining Divine, that He might in justice atone for our disobedience and repair the separation from the Father.  We are now adopted sons and daughters of God as long as we don’t rebel, resist, and reject the promise.  We can’t do it on our own but amazing grace accepted and acted upon is a share in the divine life here on earth and promise of eternal life.

 Jesus tells us that God knows all our bodily needs.  We have all of Scripture that shows God’s loving providence from the liberation of His people in slavery in Egypt to a Savior that saves us from the slavery of sin.  Jesus says,” Seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” 

 PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

 Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will.

 All that I am and all that I possess, Thou hast given me:  I surrender it all to Thee to be disposed of according to Thy will.

 Give me only Thy love and Thy grace; with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JESUS IN SCRIPTURE YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 5:13-16  YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD

 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

 REFLECTION

 We are the salt that invigorates and gives life to the Spirit dwelling within… We need the nourishment but we can’t savor it alone, keep it to ourselves…it is our hands… our voice… ministering to others…speaking out against injustice…proclaiming God’s Word…holding the infirm and the afflicted in our love and prayers…giving comfort and hope in Christ Crucified… and the glory of His resurrection…don’t let it be trampled by Satan…

 It is the same for the light… once illuminated in truth,…don’t hide that truth, the grace we have been gifted, share it with the whole world…perhaps you are familiar with the folk song, This little light of mine…do it…if we are indifferent or slothful who will carry on the work of Christ….our salt and our light brings peace and conversion to an otherwise dysfunctional world… “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it” (John 1:5)

NOTE: I am including below an old folk song and children song, perhaps you know it or even have sung it..  Check out YOUTUBE to hear it sung.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I’m gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

Don’t let Satan blow it out,

I’m gonna let it shine

Don’t let Satan blow it out,

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

THE WORLD NEEDS YOU TO SHINE YOUR LIGHT BRIGHT