Friday, September 1st
2017
The Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Psalms 97:1-2, 5-6, 10-12
Luke 21:36
Matthew 25:1-13
Christians, Jesus teaches us, all will receive their just desserts, and that the unrepentant will be thrown into an unquenchable fire. Now the parable of the Ten Virgins teaches us, the difference between those who are known by Christ Jesus and those who are not known, to him: it teaches us the difference between those who live by Christ Jesus’ words and teachings, and those who do not; and it teaches us that five, of the ten virgins, were wise because they brought oil for their lamps, with them, and five were foolish, because they did not bring any oil for their lamps and over the course of a lifetime and because of the bridegroom’s long delay – half of the ten virgins were unknown to Christ Jesus and the doors of heaven were locked against them. Now in this parable, the oil represents those, who have repented, and have believed in the Gospel of the Lord Christ Jesus and the lack of oil represents, those who have not repented, and those who have not believed in the Gospel of the Lord Christ Jesus. Now Christians, Saint Paul writes to the Thessalonians exhorting them, to live in a conduct that is pleasing to God, the Heavenly Father and to live according to the Gospel of Faith that they have received, and as well, to live more earnestly our lives, according to Christ Jesus’ Gospel of Life. Paul calls the Thessalonians brothers and sisters, as Jesus, himself called us brothers and friends – teaching us, that the fruits of loving God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can only be realized, by conducting ourselves according to the words and teachings of Christ Jesus’ Gospel; for this is how we faithfully and sincerely love the Lord, God our Heavenly Father. Saint Paul blanketed completely, the reality and fact that we “Know” what instructions we have been given, by Christ Jesus, and that there is no excuse available for humankind; subsequently, all of humankind will receive there just desserts, the repentant and the unrepentant, alike; those who have brought oil, with them, and those who have not brought extra oil, with them…. Yes Christians, it is the Will of our Lord, the Heavenly Father that we be sanctified and that we are to abstain, from fornication and all immoralities. Yes, Christians we are to be sanctified for this is the Will of God, our Heavenly Father; thus in acquiring a spouse, we are to do this acquiring, in holiness and honor and not in lustful passion. Furthermore, Christians, do not think for a moment to exploit your spouse or the family of your spouse, to acquire a spouse; for the Lord, our Heavenly Father will avenge such exploitation: for we are to come together, with a sincere spirit of love and goodness and if exploitation is in our hearts, we are sowing the seeds of vengeance from God, the Heavenly Father. Yes Christians, we have been called, to holiness, which is a joy that is above all the desires of the flesh; it is the pearl of great price and do you not remember, what Saint John taught: “Greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world.” Christians, we readily know that God did not call us to impurity and that he, God did call us to holiness, and if we choose to disregard this call to holiness, we are not simply disregarding, the words of a human creature; rather, we are choosing to disregard, God, our Heavenly Father’s way, truth, and life. Now Christians, hear the words and teachings of the psalm and have faith in them: justice and judgment are the foundation of God, our Heavenly Father’s heavenly kingdom. The Psalmist tell us that mountains melt like wax, before the Lord, God our Heavenly Father and that the heavens proclaim, they yell from the rooftops, our Heavenly Father’s Righteousness and Justice. Furthermore the Psalmist says, “The Lord, God, the Heavenly Father loves those who hate evil:” however, in understanding this statement we must look at it with wisdom. For the Psalmist did not say that God loves those who hate people, who have done evil; rather, the Psalmist clearly states that God loves those, who hate evil and in this, it is meant from those who do not sit in counsel, with those who plan evil and it is meant that we, ourselves, must refrain from doing evil and keep, ourselves, with the grace and truth we receive from Christ Jesus, from immoralities and wickedness for we are called to holiness not impurity. Therefore Christians, because we are called to holiness and not impurities, and since we know that our adversary, the spirit that is at works in the disobedient is roaring like a lion – going about seeking souls to devour, let us be ever vigilant: by casting down all imaginations that appeal to our false pride; by casting down all imaginations that manifest in impurities; and by casting down all imaginations that manifest themselves as greed and as vainglories and instead, let us bring all of our imaginations under the authority of Christ Jesus’ Gospel of Repentance, for the Forgiveness of Sin and Sinfulness. Yes Christians, pray that we will have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. Now Christians in the name of the Son of Man, our Lord Christ Jesus pray and be thankful. Amen.
Friday, September 8th
2017
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Micah 5:1-4
Romans 8:28-30
Psalms 13:6
Christians, Jesus was born, of Mary, in the house of David and Jesus’ lineage is from Abraham and Abraham’s lineage is from Noah and Noah’s lineage is from Adam, and Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary – Mary being consecrated, by the Holy Spirit to be with child, and thus, by Jesus’ name, “God is with us!” Now Christians, our Heavenly Father wanting us to know, the truth between the spirit, which is at work in the disobedient and himself, gave to us his Son, the Lord Christ Jesus and his words and teachings that are spirit and truth, and with this in mind: God, the Heavenly Father himself tells us... "That he chose… the Hebrews not because they were the strongest or most numerous or the biggest, but because they were the smallest, of all nations, and therefore, God is their strength and as well, so God the Father can reveal himself, and the spirit of truth to humankind, so that we may know – life is about loving our neighbor as we love ourselves and it is not about loving mammon; furthermore, the love of mammon, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, which some coveting have erred from the faith and have entangled themselves with many pains…. Visibly, Christians not only did God, the Heavenly Father choose the Israelites because they were the smallest of all nations, but also, God, the Heavenly Father chose Bethlehem, which was too small to be a nation among the clans of Judah, because it was God, our Heavenly Father’s good-pleasure to choose, the city of Bethlehem for which his Son was to be born. Coincidently, Jesus, like his kin, King David, was born in the City of Bethlehem, and from this small town came forth the person, who is to be the ruler of Israel and as well, Jesus is the eternal ruler of Israel; because it was our Heavenly Father’s good-please to make it so…. Now Christians, in helping us to glean and understand, who and what Jesus is, Micah says these few words: “He shall be peace!” Now Micah did not say, “That he will bring peace, but that Jesus is peace!” Christians, Christ Jesus’ Gospel is spirit and truth, and God, the Heavenly Father – by his will towards humankind chose the smallest of all nations and more than that God chose the City of Bethlehem, which was too small even to be a nation, to show us that there is a God in heaven and that his words and teachings are spirit and truth and that Christ Jesus, being the word made flesh is the way, the truth, and the life…. God so loves man that he gave to us his only begotten Son, the Lord Christ Jesus and whosoever shall believe in the Lord Christ Jesus will not perish, but will have eternal life; Jesus teaches, repent and believe in the Gospel; repent lest you perish. Yes Christians, each morning we wake with the joy of the Lord Christ Jesus, in our hearts and minds, but we know that it will be another day of stumbling, another day of trials, another day of prayer, and another day of hoping to speak and live Christ Jesus’ words and teachings in the spirit and truth that they are; blessedly, we have the knowledge of Christ Jesus’ Gospel, teaching us, “That all things work for the good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.” Now Christians, when we mediate upon the words and teachings of Christ Jesus’ Gospel of Life, we come across the teaching of predestination; simply put: because God the Heavenly Father foreknew us, some are predestined either to be conformed to the image of our Heavenly Father’s Son, our Lord Christ Jesus and some will stumble, by their disobedience to the words and teachings of Christ Jesus’ Gospel, as is their destiny. Still, those who have been predestined according to God, our Heavenly Father purpose have been called; they have been justified because of God; and those who have been justified because of God, our Heavenly Father’s will have also been glorified. Now Christians, we, humankind were created in the image of God, our Heavenly Father and one aspect of God is that he is merciful…. Now Christians, since God is merciful, we too must be merciful and have the quality of mercy in our lives; truly, there is a complete image of God, our Lord Christ Jesus and as faithful Christians, brothers and sisters – in Christ, our concern is to be with the spirit that brings, peace and life, and we are not to be or live, according to the desires, or temptations, or the concerns of the flesh for the concerns of the flesh are death. Yes Christians, we are to let our hearts rejoice in the salvation, of the Lord Christ Jesus, for his salvation is the pearl of great price, and though, our lives will not be free of trials or tribulations, in our spirit and in our spirituality, which coexist with our emotions – we overcome our flesh and choose to live in the joy, of salvation, the salvation of Christ Jesus’ grace and truth rather than choosing to reside, in whatever whim of emotion that may be present. Now Christians, Mary, the mother of the Lord Christ Jesus is also the mother of all disciples, and she is blessed among women; therefore let us, brothers and sisters, remember her and honor her and know that she, like all saints, has intercession between humankind and the Holy Spirit and the Heavenly Father and her Son, the Lord Christ Jesus. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus pray and be thankful. Amen.
Friday, September 15th
2017
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14
Psalms 16:1-2 & 5, 7-8, 11
John 19:25-27
Christians, Simeon is a prophetic marker fulfilled; for he saw the salvation that the Heavenly Father promised and gave testimony: “Behold, this child, Jesus of Nazareth is destined for the fall and rise of many, in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and as well Mary you, yourself will be pierced by a sword, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Now Christians, the man Saul of Tarsus, who became our beloved brother, in Christ Jesus, Saint Paul – confesses his sins and tells us of his sinfulness: Saint Paul tells us of his rise and fall, and as well; Saint Paul tells us and witnesses to us of the mercy and the abundance of grace, which are part of the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Saint Paul rises and tells us of his gratefulness to the Lord Christ Jesus, who strengthened him through the power of the Holy Spirit and considered him trustworthy: appointing him to the ministry, of his Gospel of life. Christians, it is important to remember Saul of Tarsus and how he became Saint Paul; for in remembering the account of Saint Paul’s life: we will have a more complete understanding of the actual Gospel of Christ Jesus…. Briefly, Saul of Tarsus was blinded by the light of Christ Jesus, on the road to Damascus; the truth of Christ Jesus’ Gospel was revealed to Saul and then he, became Saint Paul, for Saint Paul accepted the truth and became a trustworthy Disciple of Christ Jesus’ Gospel; whereas before Christ Jesus specifically revealed his Gospel to Saint Paul – Paul, by his own words was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man. Therefore Christians see and understand: if a person is lost in sin and if they be slaves to their flesh – there is hope for them in Christ Jesus. For Saint Paul is an example of a person, being lost blindly to sin, but he also is an example of a person, being saved by the grace, truth and the abundant faith and love that is Christ Jesus’ Gospel of Repentance for the Forgiveness of Sin and Sinfulness…. Christians, Christ Jesus wants all people to be saved; he wants us to live in the love and faith and the abundance of life that exists – teaching us the difference: between those who are listening to the spirit of disobedience, which works sin in them, which brings sin into their lives and the difference between those, who are listening to the Holy Spirit, which is life and peace. Now Christians, do you understand that we are grafted onto the branch of life and that we are inheritors, of an abundant life and of eternal life in Christ Jesus? Christians, realistically, none of us know what eternal life will be, but we can come to understand through knowledge and meditation of Christ Jesus’ Gospel that life is above human emotions, but that life and eternal life is not absent of truth; and that truth is love. Yes Christians, take refuge in truth, which is love, and then come to understand that life was made visible; and that life is Jesus; and that life is the great pearl; and that life is above human emotion; and when, we first seek the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness then there is a hope to see our allotted portion and that God, the Heavenly Father holds fast our lot…. Yes Christians bless and be thankful to the Lord Christ Jesus, who is a wonderful counselor, and teaches us all that we need to know, through the Holy Spirit. Lovingly Christians the Lord Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit will exhort us to repentance, throughout our entire lives; until we realize, understand, and accept truth, love, and grace and know that Christ Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Yes Christians, each of us has our own unique lives to live, but there is only one path of truth, one path of love, and one path of life, and this path is the Gospel of the Lord Christ Jesus. For Christ Jesus’ Gospel is the path, where the person can realize truth and then choose truth; Christ Jesus’ Gospel is the path, where a person can realize love and life and grace and mercy and forgiveness -- through repentance, and then can come to understand the inner most being – seeing the contradiction and conflict between the spirit and the flesh and then choosing, life in the spirit, Christ Jesus’ Holy Spirit and that knowing, the concerns of the flesh work death in the human creature. Now Christians, when we understand Christ Jesus’ crucifixion, then we know that his death was a sacrifice: for all the sins that had ever been committed and for all the sins that could ever be committed and that his grace, of this sacrifice, is bestowed upon us, when we acknowledge our sin and sinfulness; when we repent of our sin an sinfulness; and when we bring forth fruits worthy of repentance for our sin and sinfulness, for this is Christ Jesus’ grace and truth. Now Christians, disciples, of the Lord Christ Jesus: let us remember Mary, our blessed mother and the virgin, who had the life of God in her womb; the women, who gave birth, to the life of Christ Jesus – humankind’s Lord and Savior; and let us be thankful for the life that we have, with our Blessed Mother Mary here on earth: seeking and accepting, believing, seeing and coming to know, the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness as the moments of each day unfolds and then, the bringing of our just desserts -- by and through the decisions we choose to make daily. Now Christians, let your hearts be completely filled with joy and let your minds be blessed, by the gift of peace that Christ Jesus did give and leave for us, and as well, let us pray in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus – being thankful for his life, his name, his sacrifice, and his birth. Amen.
Friday, September 22nd
2017
The Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
1st Timothy 6:2-12
Psalms 49:6-8, 10, 17-20
SEE Matthew 11:25
Christians, proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God – seeking the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s Righteousness. As well, Christians, beware of anyone, who may teach something other than Christ Jesus’ words and teachings his Gospel and one way of identifying such a person – they suppose religion to be a means, of material gain, rather than the spiritual gain: of the way, the truth and the life of Christ Jesus’ Gospel, which is the gaining, of the great pearl of life…. Now Christians, Saint Timothy says, “Those who do not agree with the sound teachings of our Lord Christ Jesus, do not understand anything, and they are those who are conceited.” Such individuals, who do not agree with Christ Jesus’ words and teachings, have morbid dispositions for argument and for their verbal disputes. From such individuals’ verbal disputes, we recognize the fruits of the flesh: envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, those individuals, who deprive themselves of the way, the truth, and the life of Christ Jesus. Again Christians, religion is not to be used, for a means of material gain, rather religion, true religion is for the benefit of widows and orphans; it is for the means of understanding ourselves, our flesh and our spirit; it is for the means of admitting that we are sinful, but through the grace, which has been bestowed upon humankind, through Christ Jesus’ sacrifice of crucifixion – we have the hope of overcoming our sinful flesh and the hope of receiving a crown of glory, a crown of life, and an incorruptible crown, a crown of justice. Now Christians, earnestly consider your lives; for none of us are born with silver spoons in our mouths, rather, when each of us were born – we brought nothing into to this world and when our flesh is done, whether that be when we are old or young – none of us will take anything with us, other than, the just desserts of our own souls choices. Now Christians, as children, infants we are baptized, and the grace that Christ Jesus established, through his sacrifice of crucifixion, takes away the sin of Adam, original sin; however, every sin that we commit, as individuals, throughout our adolescences and through our adult lives: it is upon us; it is our responsibility, as individuals, to confess our sins: where we acknowledge our sinfulness, where we repent of our sinfulness, and where we bring forth fruits worthy, of repentance, and when we make this confession then and only then will Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, bestow his established grace upon us and forgive our sinfulness. Therefore Christians, do not fall into the traps of foolish and harmful desires, for they plunge us into ruin and destruction. Christians do not seek to be rich, rather seek Christ Jesus’ kingdom of heaven. Christians, cast down your imaginations of the love of money, for the love of money is the root of all evil, and instead of loving money – take the Gospel of life, Christ Jesus’ Gospel and choose to love your neighbor as you love yourselves. Christians, let us not take the crown of corruption, the love our money, and place it upon our own heads; rather, let us humble our hearts and minds, and yield them to Christ Jesus’ Gospel, of life, and live in the hope of Christ Jesus placing: the crown of life, the crown of justice, and an incorruptible crown of unfading grace and truth upon our heads. Yes Christians let us avoid and overcome our sinful flesh, by seeking the kingdom of heaven, by pursing: righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Yes Christians, compete well, for the faith, and lay hold of eternal life, by acknowledging the difference between those who are listening to the spirit of disobedience, which works sin in our flesh and those who are listening to Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, which works repentance in our flesh. Now Christians let the light of Christ Jesus’ Gospel shine in your lives and fear not the evil day, when a wicked ensnarer may ring us around.... Christians, do not put your faith in wealth or riches, and humble yourselves to the way, the truth, and the life of Christ Jesus’ Gospel; for as human creatures, we are not capable of paying our own ransom, to God, with worldly things. For life and eternal life is a gift from God, our Heavenly Father, and it is the erring heart and mind, which will fail to receive this gift, of life, that only God, our Lord Christ Jesus may bestow upon us, as individuals. Now Christians, the Lord Christ Jesus teaches us that God, the Heavenly Father has revealed to the little ones, young children, the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and it is for us as adults, to bring our hearts and minds into 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.
Friday, September 29th
2017
Feast of Saints
Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael,
archangels
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Revelation 12:7-12
Psalms 138:1-5
Psalms 103:21
Christians, Jesus told Nathanael, “Amen, Amen, I say to
you, Nathanael: you will see heaven opened and the angels of God, the Heavenly
Father ascending and descending, on the Son of Man!”
Now Christians, the Apostle John, the author of the Book of Revelation
tells us, “Now have salvation and power come!”
Hence, if we look at these words of testimony by Saint John, the Apostle;
we may notice a parallel, between: “Now has salvation and power come, with the
Gospel teaching:
‘Moses brought the
law, but Christ Jesus brought grace and truth to humankind.’”
Now Christians, in the Book of Daniel, Daniel teaches us, of how the spirit of God
revealed itself, to him, in a vision, by the river Ulai.
Christians, with humankind’s finite minds, we believe that matter can
neither be created nor destroyed; however, with a word from God, our Heavenly
Father -- matter is not only created, but it is conceived for a purpose.
Now Christians here we have in this account from Daniel, the vision that
he had; whether we believe in this vision or do not believe, in its reality, is
beside the point – the point being, “What an incredible vision, Daniel has
shared with us, with Humankind!”
Now
let us explore the sharing of Daniel’s vision: Thrones, clothing as bright as
snow, hair as white as wool, and flames of fire about the Ancient One’s throne,
wheels of burning fire, and surging streams, of fire, flowed out from where the
Heavenly Father sat; thousands upon thousands were ministering to our Heavenly
Father and myriad upon myriads attended to him.
In Daniel’s vision the court was convened, and the books were opened. Now
Christians, as Daniel continues to share his vision, in completeness, he begins
and continues the prophecy of the Lord Christ Jesus coming into the world, with
grace and truth and salvation and power.
Daniel says, “One like the son of man was coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Now, when Jesus reached the throne of the Ancient One, our Heavenly
Father, he was given and received dominion, glory, and kingship, and nations and
people of every language were serving him.
Daniel was given the prophecy that Christ Jesus, the Son of Man’s
dominion was an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away and Christ
Jesus’ kingship shall not be destroyed.
Now Christians given this bold assertion by Daniel, a likely inference
could possibly be that the antichrist and those who are the antichrist are working
feverishly and relentlessly, but to no avail but not without consequence: to
destroy Christ Jesus’ kingdom, to destroy the kingdom of heaven.
Now Christians, as we go on from the Book of Daniel and witness
the Book of Revelation we read that war broke out in heaven!
Now Christians, it is important to understand that in Saint John’s
vision, of the Book of Revelation: Michael and Raphael and Gabriel, Archangels
fought against the dragon; they fought against Lucifer; they fought against the
Devil, Satan and this battle, this war, happened, before the time, of Adam and
Eve -- when Lucifer was cast down to the earth, and where Eve was tempted and Adam
followed, Eve….
Still Christians the
thing that is truly wonderful about Saint John’s, the Apostle vision of the
Book of Revelation is that Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God conquered Satan’s
deceptions; he conquered Lucifer’s lies; Jesus conquered the accuser of our
brothers, and the lies of the flesh have been overcome for all eternity, with
Christ Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross….
Yes Christians, Christ Jesus’ life-ministry, death and resurrection from
the dead brought humankind, out of the darkness and into the light; therefore let us
rejoice as we seek the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s
righteousness.
Now Christians, in
this Psalm, the Psalmist clearly shows and teaches us, that in all places where he reside; he gives praise to the Lord, our Heavenly Father: stating, “I will
give praise to you, Heavenly Father, in the sight of angels.” Now, since, angels
exist and are present everywhere; we too must sing praise and give thanks to
God, our Heavenly Father, everywhere: yes, sing praise to the Lord Christ Jesus
for he is the way, the truth, and the life and the way that we sing praise, to
our Lord Christ Jesus, is by loving our neighbor as we love ourselves....
Again Christians, let us recall and remember
that the Lord God, our Heavenly Father is kindness and truth and when we call
and when we pray -- as God did for the Psalmist, God, our Heavenly Father will
also build, us up... and strengthen us, so that we may live in accordance with his Gospel of life and eternal life.
Now Christians, when some appease sinfulness in today’s society,
this appeasement being the bearing of false witness, they
call it ... an act of love; however, the reality of appeasing sin – is not only
are they assuring that the sinner will never see and find truth; they are also
assuring, since they have encouraged and do encourage sin and sinfulness that
they too will be absent of truth.... Furthermore, since, Christ Jesus is the way, the truth, and
the life; they also will be absent of Christ Jesus’ truth and grace.
Yes Christians, let us add our voices and our hearts:
minds, souls, and
strength, with love, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and in the grace and truth
of Christ Jesus' Gospel giving praise, along with the
angels and archangels, who minister, to our worthy and righteous Heavenly Father:
who knows all, who sees all, and who is all, and who is omnipresent, and then like
Nathanael, a true child of Israel; let there be no duplicity in us.
Now Christians in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be
thankful.
Amen.