Friday, December 2nd
2016
The First Week in Advent
Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14
Christians, Jesus said to the blind man, “Let it be done
for you according to your faith…!”
Now Christians, a day came to the Israelites, as prophesized by Isaiah that the
deaf would hear, the words of a book and the eyes of the blind shall see, out of
the gloom and darkness, and a day shall come for each of us… when we see
ourselves as repentant or unrepentant in the perfect light, of Christ Jesus’
Gospel.
Christians let us live in
the hope that we truly have repented, and that our names are written, in the
book of life?
Now Christians, Isaiah
continued in his prophesy, saying “The lowly will increase their joy in the Lord
and the poor… will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”
Christians, what is the reason for this joy and rejoicing – do not miss
the reason or the cause?
For it is
incontrovertibly, brought about by and through, the Lord, our Heavenly Father’s
words and teachings!
For it is
through Christ Jesus’ words and teachings, our Heavenly Father’s Gospel that the
tyrant’s heart is softened and it is by Christ Jesus’ truth and light that the
arrogant person’s -- heart and mind yield themselves to Christ Jesus’ grace and
truth.
Yes Christians, remember the
words of the song Oh Holy Night: “Chains shall he break for the slave is
our brother and in his (Jesus’) name all oppression shall cease” and as well and
more importantly, remember the New Testament teaches, that “It is written: ‘As I
(Jesus) live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow, to me, and every tongue shall
confess to God, the Lord Christ Jesus!’”
Yes Christians, a time came to pass in Isaiah’s time and a time will come
to pass, in finality, that “All who are alert to do evil will be cut off.”
Those, individuals, who by their mere words condemn a man; those,
individuals, who ensnare his defender at the gate and leave the just man with an
empty claim; these, individuals, who are alert to do evil will be cut off and
thrown into the unquenchable fire – that through their own choices, they will
receive their just desserts.
Now
Christians, let your hearts be softened to forgiveness and let your minds yield
to repentance; for those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding and those
who find fault shall receive instructions.
Yes Christians, Abrahams was redeemed by God our Heavenly Father and the
House of Jacob has nothing to be ashamed of nor shall Israel’s face grow pale.
For the children of God’s creation: will see the work of his hands and
will witness his words and teaching, and his Gospel will be seen in the midst of
Christ’s Children and they will keep his name holy….
Yes Christians, Christ’s Children will reverence the name of Jacob and be
in awe, of the Lord, our Heavenly Father, the God of Israel, the creator of
Heaven and earth.
Yes Christians,
the Lord is our light and salvation, and by and through his words and teachings
we can overcome the wile and the deceits, of the flesh and of this world;
therefore do not let your hearts be anxious or take upon fear, for although men
and women may harm and kill us,
after
that they can do nothing.
Whereas,
God, our Heavenly Father can destroy -- not only the body, but the soul as well –
casting it into hell.
Yes Christians,
in the Days of King David he sang psalms of seeking to dwell in the house of the
Lord and in Christ Jesus’ Gospel, Jesus teaches us to seek the kingdom of
heaven and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness and in doing these things –
seeking to live in the house of our Lord, all things will be added unto us according
to our Heavenly Father’s will.
Yes
Christians, we know how much the soul seeks love, and Christ Jesus is our
perfect love; we know how much our souls and our hearts and minds seek truth,
and Christ Jesus is truth; we know how much we yearn for justice and goodness,
and Christ Jesus in unity with the Holy Spirit is justice and goodness and
kindness – for these: justice, kindness, loyalty, goodness, long suffering,
self-control, and patients are the very gifts of the Holy Spirit; therefore our
eyes are filled with loveliness, when we gaze upon the Lord Christ Jesus and
when we gaze upon his Church and Temple and when we contemplate his, Christ
Jesus’ Gospel of life and forgiveness, through our repentance and our
acknowledgment of our sins and sinfulness; we see the loveliness of the Lord, our
Heavenly Father.
Yes Christians, there
will come a day, a day known only to God, our Heavenly Father when the Lord
Christ Jesus will come with power, and then Christ Jesus will enlighten the eyes
of his servants. Then, just as the blind men who Jesus healed received sight –
our hearts and minds will see Christ Jesus’ perfect will, and by our deeds and
choices; we will be judge and each will receive their just desserts.
Now Christians in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus pray and be thankful.
Amen.
Friday, December 9th
2016
The Second Week in Advent
Isaiah 48:17-19
Psalms 1:1-4 & 6
Christians: wisdom is vindicated by her works; we … are known by our fruits; the truth, in our lives, is the evidence of the things we do, keep, and choose; and where our treasures exist – there too are our hearts, and the choices of our minds; whereas, this generation has the words and teachings of Christ Jesus’ Gospel, of grace and truth, but prefers to placate and delude their sinfulness because their choices, works, and deeds are corrupt and immoral…. This generation prefers the lie and the craven image of God that they have created for themselves, in their own minds, which they have chosen to live by and to worship – over acknowledging the one true God, the Lord Christ Jesus, according to his Gospel, and affording God glory, as God…. Now Christians, Isaiah: prophesizes, teaches, and tells the Israelites “If only you would observe and take to heart the things that the Lord, our redeemer, the Holy One of Israel has taught, then you would prosper:” we are to be good stewards of the lands, the oceans, the waters, the streams and rivers; we are to be good stewards of our bodies; we are to be good stewards and keep the words and teachings of the Lord Christ Jesus’ Gospel, which includes every jot and the smallest, of letters and every tittle and every stroke, for none of these will pass from the law, until they are all accomplished…. Now Christians, know and acknowledge that the flesh, of humankind is weak and sinful and corrupt and deluded and unrepentant and that God, who is spirit and truth and whose word is spirit and truth is: life and goodness and repentance and love and kindness and truth and grace and mercy, and when we acknowledge these things, we take the steps towards seeking the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness; Christians, choose life and know that Christ Jesus is life. Now Christians, seek to be one with the Lord Christ Jesus through being, mindful of his words and teachings; whereas, when we refuse to acknowledge God, as God, and give glory to God, as God then God -- turns us over to our lusts, to the unclean desires of our hearts, to dishonor our bodies, and then our minds become reprobate; our imaginations become vain and our reasonings become futile. Although we may profess ourselves to be wise; erringly, we do not see the truth of our own existence; our existence is veiled from our own understanding and our senseless minds cannot see the truth of life…. Now Christians, a reprobate mind is not one without intelligence, but it is a mind… similar, to the minds of Adam and Eve, who did not know evil from good…? As well, a reprobate mind is like that of the mind of an animal – living without self-awareness; still, animals are able to get along in the world…. However, animals typically only copulate for the purpose of extending their species; whereas, with the reprobate sense, the person is delivered up to do those things, which are not convenient. Now, neither of these preceding similes is completely accurate in their understanding, of what reprobates mind are; rather, these similes are only to show how minds can be different – that is: senseless and reprobated, intelligent and imaginative, clever or cunning, deceitful or forthright, forgiving or unforgiving, repentant or unrepentant and patient or quick to anger. Christians, there would be no need of any talk or of any reality that included punishment for our sinful choices, if people were without sin; nonetheless, we are sinful creatures. Ironically, certain peoples tend to deny their sinfulness… so much, and to all ends that their behaviors actually reverse themselves, to wit: if the light that is in us is actually darkness how great is that darkness and then these people: show a face of brutality, strictness, murder, and deception; they become vain in their reasoning and they become unforgiving and unrepentant – thinking these things to be strengths and goodness. Still, if we would look at our lives and acknowledge God, the Lord Christ Jesus and receive his gift of repentance – by seeking the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness, then all things would be added unto us: our descendants would be like the sands, our vindication like the waves, those born of our stock would be like its grains, and our names would never be blotted, from the presence of our Lord Christ Jesus. However, if we persist in our sinfulness, our destination of choice is clear; although human wrath will never produce God’s Righteousness; in Christ Jesus’ eternal judgment, the goats will be separated from the lambs…. Yes Christians, meditate on the words and teachings of the Lord Christ Jesus, for they are the way, the truth and the life and then see and understand the ironies of the anti-Christ. For Saint John the Baptist was talked about falsely, and said to be possessed with a demon and then the Lord Christ Jesus came, and it was said that he was a glutton and a drunkard. In reality, the Chief priests, the Scribes and the Pharisees were not interested, in simple kindness and goodness, but wanted to have a false power to lord over the people and subject them to their wills; rather than teach them, the people to live in the freedom and liberty and truth that God, our Heavenly Father and his Son, the Lord Christ Jesus has prepared for, humankind, each of us – to live by. Now Christians in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus pray and be thankful. Amen.
Friday, December 16th
2016
The Third Week in Advent
Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8
Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
Christians, of men born of women not one has been greater than Saint John, the Baptist; still, he, who is lesser in the kingdom of God, is greater than he. Ironically: the Scribes, Pharisees, and the Chief Priest called John “A man possessed by a demon!” All the while he, John, the Baptist called for repentance from all the people, to the very highest to the very lowest; John sought the salvation of all. Now Christians, it seems like a simple thing, and we are to approach and accomplish the words and teachings of our Heavenly Father as innocent as little children; therefore when Isaiah prophesizes, on behalf of the Heavenly Father “Do what is right and do what is just” there should be no misunderstandings? Nonetheless, “The sensual man perceives not the things that are of the Spirit of God, for it is foolishness to him and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined.” Now Christians, we know that there is no other name… where salvation exists, other than the name, of the Lord Christ Jesus, and we know that that salvation has indeed come, unto humankind through the Lord Christ Jesus; therefore: with the emotions of the day, the thoughts of the day, the work and communication of the day labor and seek to be pleasing, to the Lord Christ Jesus; overcoming the various temptations and desires that arise both in our speaking and in our imagination. Yes, Christians, do remember that we are to bring all of our imaginations under the authority of Christ Jesus’ Gospel and that we are to love the Lord God, our Heavenly Father, and the Lord Christ Jesus, with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and with all of our strength. Now Christians it may be difficult to comprehend, but it is a cause and effect relationship – when we do what is right and just, in accordance with Christ Jesus’ Gospel, then we are blessed: justice and salvation have been revealed to humankind in the person of the Lord Christ Jesus. Now Christians, the third commandment of the Lord our God, the Heavenly Father is to keep holy the Sabbath. Isaiah teaches and calls to mind, to the Israelites, that they are to keep the Sabbath free from profanation, and that they are to keep: their hands, their hearts, minds and their lives, from any evil doing. Now let us examine these two traits, attributes, a phrase and a word: profanation and evil doing? Profanation may, best, be explained as this: a person or thing that mocks or downplays the importance of keeping the Sabbath Holy and evil doing… well, evil doing according to biblical usage can range from: the Priests, Scribes, and Pharisees calling Saint John a man possessed with a demon, that is the bearing of false witness; to a person, who is withholding another person’s wages; to behaving, in a sexually immoral way; to committing a murder, and various other things considered as evil as described and taught to us through the words and teachings of the New Testament, which of course includes the Old Testament in relationship to spirit and truth: we are especially to keep from evil doing on the Sabbath, but singling out the Sabbath does not mean, that it is alright to do evil on the other days of the week. Now Christians, open your hearts and minds to our Heavenly Father’s creation and seek his Righteousness, and live your lives; whereas the foreigner does not see themselves excluded from life, while we as Christians seek the kingdom of heaven: it is not through indulgence and encouragement of sin and sinfulness; rather, it is through goodness and the helping, of the foreigner to overcome their sinful flesh by and through the blessings of the Holy Spirit and by being reborn in Christ Jesus that we open our hearts and minds to Christ Jesus’ way, truth, and life…. Now Christians, God our Heavenly Father says thus: the foreigner who keeps the way of the Lord Christ Jesus and loves and delights in the way of the Lord Christ Jesus and become servants of the Lord Christ Jesus, and those who keep the Sabbath free from profanation and hold to Christ Jesus’ New Covenant -- for these things suggest belief, them will the Lord our Heavenly Father bring to his holy mountain and make joyful in his house of prayer…. Now Christians humankind, indeed, needs the pity, of our Heavenly Father the creator of heaven and earth and we do, indeed, need God’s blessings for without the Lord Christ Jesus, there is no salvation: for our lives, our souls, and indeed, our new blessed bodies, and, also, we would be creatures without the hope of eternal life. Yes Christians pray that the Lord, our Heavenly Father will shine his face upon us, so that we may sincerely afford God glory, as God, and so that we may be able to see his, Christ Jesus’ truth; and hopefully: live in Christ Jesus’ truth; speak Christ Jesus' truth; and love with Christ Jesus’ truth. Yes Christians pray and seek to live in Christ Jesus’ peace, for he did give to us his peace and has established his peace for us, so that we may rejoice before our Heavenly Father with perfect hearts and minds -- consciences that have removed all the dead from them. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus pray and be thankful. Amen.
Friday, December 23rd
2016
The Fourth Week of Advent
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Psalms 25:4-5, 8-10, & 14
Christians, at the symbolic celebration of God’s covenant with Abraham, the circumcision of all male children, Zechariah, the father of Saint John, who became known as John the Baptist spoke out blessings of God, our Heavenly Father…. Typically and perhaps in suggestion of the lack, of knowledge of God’s way, truth, and life and perhaps, as an insightful awareness of Zechariah’s neighbors lack of faith, in God our Heavenly Father, they the neighbors of Zechariah and Elizabeth took upon themselves fear, as they discussed the miraculous event of Zechariah being able to speak at the moment, he wrote the name John; he will be called John…. Now Christians, Malachi, a prophet of the Lord, our Heavenly Father speaking, rightly, as an ambassador should that is in accordance with the Lord, our Heavenly Father’s Gospel said: “A messenger is coming and he will sit refining and purifying silver and he will purify the sons of Levi.” …Then, in completeness, because of Christ Jesus’ blood offering, our repentance: the acknowledging of our sin and sinfulness; the bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance, for our sin and sinfulness; and the turning away from our sin and sinfulness and sinning no more – like the adulterous, who was about to be stoned, when Christ Jesus said, “Let the person among you without sin cast the first stone,” then, like the purified sons of Levi, our, faithful, repentance will be pleasing to the Lord our God, our Heavenly Father. Now Christians, we desired a messenger who was truth; a messenger who was Righteousness; a messenger who was life; and the Heavenly Father heard our plea, and behold a Savior was born, in Bethlehem; lovingly and gently, he was waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God, our Heavenly Father, was upon him. Now Christians, we know that the Lord Christ Jesus will come again to reward each of us: according to the lives we have lived; the choices we have made; and the words that we have spoken, but who will endure to this time? Who will we run the race, as Saint Paul ran with patience; and will we receive the prize that those who believe in Christ Jesus will receive, as a reward for their faith, belief, and their repentance: none are without sin and all are in need of repentance! Now Christians, the Lord, our Heavenly Father sent, the prophet, Elijah – during the time of Ahab’s, a kings of Israel, cafe worshiping idolatry days, when a drought and famine were widespread throughout Israel. Wrongfully, unjustly, and ironically, Ahab blamed Elijah for the cause of this drought and the famine because God, our Heavenly Father did command Elijah to prophesize: “As the Lord God, the Heavenly Father lives, in whose sight Elijah stands, there will be neither dew nor rain for three years….” Now, after a two year period, Elijah, by fate, met Obadiah, one of Ahab’s officers, who was out searching for cattle to feed the people. Obadiah, then brought King Ahab to the Prophet Elijah, and a test was proposed; whereas to determine who was God: Baal, who Jezebel, Ahab’s wife had purposed Ahab to follow or Jehovah, the Heavenly Father, who Abraham made a covenant with and did follow. After the test, the veiled eyes of the people were opened, and they, the people of Israel, saw their shame: falling faces to the ground, and crying, “The Lord, he is God!” Now Christians, the days for such tests are gone, for Jesus said, “It is a wicked and adulterous people, who seek after signs;” furthermore, we now have the blood of Christ and Christ Jesus as a mediator before God, our Heavenly Father, and it is now, by our faith and belief that each of us will be reward, according to our just desserts. Christians, in all of this – the test that Elijah expressed, the faithlessness and disbelief of King Ahab, the Heavenly Father was working in the people of Israel; whereas, the hearts of fathers turned too their children and the hearts of their children turned too their fathers. Now Christians, we know that some judge us, because we speak the words and teachings of God, our Heavenly Father; still, in all of this: seek the ways of the Lord, God our Heavenly Father and pray that God, the Lord Christ Jesus will reveal his path, his truth, and his life to your hearts and minds. Yes Christians, the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are good and upright, but we as people fall short of the glory of God, and none of us are without sin; therefore, pray that our eyes will see Christ Jesus’ Gospel of truth and life; pray that we will humble our hearts and yield our minds to Christ Jesus’ Gospel of life and truth; and pray that the Holy Spirit will teach and us – Christ Jesus’ justice and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness; whereas each of us will recognize that humbling our hearts and yielding our minds to Christ Jesus’ grace and truth is life and is the only way, to life, and too eternal life. Now Christians in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus pray and be thankful. Amen.
Friday, December 30th
2016
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Colossians 3:12-21
Psalms 128:1-5
Christians, Joseph was instructed by an angel – imagine
how that would be received, by some of the Pharisees, if he, Joseph would have
sought their counsel?
Joseph and
Mary and the baby Jesus were pretty much on their own as they travelled to and
fro from Egypt, back, to Nazareth.
Joseph’s imagination held the awareness, of the angel appearing, the free
choice: of fleeing to Egypt and the readying for that trip, and the knowing that
Herod was searching for the child; so the child could be killed at King Herod’s
command.
Now those, who are, of the
same thought of Herod, the same mind set, thought killing all the children, two
years of age and younger, in Bethlehem was the right and prudent thing to do.
As well, they held no compunction about searching for Mary and Joseph and
the baby Jesus in the hopes of putting the Christ Child to death.
Under Herod’s mindset Joseph and Mary should have brought the child to
him, so he, King Herod could have killed the child and so that they, Mary and
Joseph would be good citizen – all the while, evil was oozing out of Herod;
thus, we must understand what is good and right and what is capitulation with
and too evil.
Hence, trying to
control a person or a people through their economy is an evil endeavor: for the
heart of the person(s) wanting to control is not thinking of loving that person
as themselves, rather, in their own dark way, they believe, they are doing what
is best for that person…?
The evil
person like King Herod is trying to take their freewill and freedom of choice
and individuality away from them: they are not bringing light into a dark room
and saying, “See this is light!”
Rather they are bringing their own concept, of what is right into a room and
saying, “This is light and if you do not follow it: we will imprison you,
control you through your economy, or kill you!” Now Christians, humankind’s
wrath does not bring about God’s righteousness: the dichotomy – God, through his
words and teachings, tells and
teaches us what is true, right, and just; God gave us the freewill to choose, and,
to come, to understand that Christ Jesus’ way -- is life and truth; as well God,
through his words and teachings and priests and Holy Spirit, warns us
and teaches us that we will receive our just desserts, for the choices we make;
however, humankind tyranny is a person seeking power, over others, not to love
them or to help them see the truth, but to tell them, that what they believe...
that is the person seeking power over others, is
what is best for humankind, and if you disagree with them: they will seek to destroy
you, harm you, impoverish you, and ultimately try to kill, that is, murder you:
God rewarding each of us for our just desserts is not murder, rather it is doing
what is right and just and moral and doing what is good and true.
Now Christians, God, our Heavenly Father teaches that our house, will
have be raised in justice and that our sins, in this life, will have been
repented of – with worthy fruits: when we have kindness for our fathers; when we
have consideration for our fathers, even if their minds fail; and when we do not
revile against them, throughout their entire life.
Christians, closely look at this!
For it is not saying, “If your father was good, to you, or if your father
was a good father; rather it goes right past, what type of father we had – what
he was or what he did, and it goes straight to the point of what our reward will
be for the type of choices: we make towards our fathers and the type of
behaviors, we live towards our fathers.”
Yes Christians, our fathers will receive their reward: for their lives,
their choices, and their words that they spoke and for their behaviors that they
have lived, just as each of us will receive our reward: for the sins we have
repented and for the sins we refused, to acknowledge, and to repent.
Now Christians, Saint Paul gives to us such a great gift in helping us to
understand the way, the truth and life of our Lord Christ Jesus: Paul says, “Put
on, as God’s chosen one, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one
another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you,
so must you also do.”
Saint Paul
continues in his teaching, saying, “Of all these things previous listed – put on
love, that is, the bond of perfection.”
Yes Christians, let the peace that Christ Jesus gave to us and did leave
for us – control our hearts and minds: the peace that calls us unto being one
body that is being, in the one body of Christ Jesus’ way, truth, and life.
Imploringly Christians let the words of the Lord Christ Jesus dwell in
you richly, as in all wisdom – you teach and admonish one another, singing:
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude and thankfulness, in your
hearts and minds, to God, our Heavenly Father.
Furthermore Christians whatever we do, in word or in deed, do everything
in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus, giving thanks to God, our Heavenly Father
through Christ Jesus’ name.
Now
Christians, let husbands and wives put on, as God’s blessed union, of Holy
Matrimony the love and holiness and oneness, as intended with forgiveness and
patience and goodness towards one another.
Husbands and wives do not let your tongues speak through anger or
impatience or through unmet expectations, or because the trials and tribulation
that both husbands and wives encounter on a daily basis.
Rather resist the temptation of anger and impatience with one another:
bringing first glory and love to the Lord Christ Jesus, remembering and thinking
of one another both husbands and wives with love, humility, patience, kindness,
and goodness – being with one another and endeavoring to be one with each other,
in Christ Jesus’ heavenly kingdom.
Now Christians, as children, we are to obey our parents -- not if they compel or
encourage us to sin and to sinfulness -- but we are to obey them, in the basic goodness and love that
exists between a parent and a child.
Yes Christians, we are truly blessed when we fear the Lord, in the manner of what
fearing the Lord, our God, the Heavenly Father means and when we walk, in
accordance with Christ Jesus’ Gospel of Repentance for the Forgiveness of sin
and sinfulness.
Now Christians in
the name of the Lord Christ Jesus pray and be thankful.
Amen.