Friday, January 5th
2018
Memorial of
Saint John Neumann, Bishop
1 John 3:11-21
Psalm 100:1-5
Christians, Philip said to Nathanael, who is likely a
person Philip knew, a long time, as a neighbor, “We have found him; the one who
Moses wrote about, in the law… and who the Prophets did speak – Jesus, son of
Joseph, from Nazareth.”
Now
Christians, when we look at the mental aspects of what Saint John is speaking
about, when he said, “Cain belonged to the Evil One;” we find a clear
insinuation: Cain was not pleased with the works of his own hands – whether this
be through lack of effort or destiny… and Cain was jealous of his brother’s
works, so much so – that Cain, who belonged to the Evil One, rose up behind him
and slew Abel; killing him instantly.
Historically,
from that point forward in time, many thousands of years, now, a person who was
a murderer and especially one who killed a sibling was said, “To bear the mark
of Cain.”
However, Saint John was
using the story, the occurrence of Cain and Abel, as a figure of speech – hoping
to urge his brethren and his neighbors not to be amazed; if the world hates you.
Now Saint John makes this next statement so casually and as a matter of
fact, but it is anything but casual and it is a statement of belief; therefore
its validity is questioned; nonetheless, we Christians believe our beloved
brother Saint John when he reminds us “We know that we have passed from death to
life because we love our brothers.”
Now Christians, Saint John really lays it on the line saying, “Everyone who
hates his brother is a murderer!”
Now if we look at this statement in the context of what Christ Jesus teaches
about adultery we may then perceive this statement more clearly: Jesus teaches
us, “That the person who looks at a women with lust in their hearts has already
committed adultery – even though the physical act did not take place;”
therefore, we begin to see the spiritual context, but nonetheless critical or
causable; since, Saint John binds the fact, in text, that the person who hates
his brother is a murderer and that no murderer has eternal life remaining in
them, then we should see clearly: the need of repentance; we see the need to
acknowledge our sin and sinfulness; and as well, we see the need to bring forth
fruits of repentance, and in this case – fruits of repentance likely would be:
the putting down the hate of your brother; the turning away from the hate of
your brother; and the continual prayer of seeking Christ Jesus’ grace, so the
individual may overcome the hate that they might have for their brother and
therefore be reconciled with their brother and with Christ Jesus.
Now Christians as we move on… in the hopes of being one with Christ Jesus
and seeking his eternal kingdom, Saint John once again pointedly and clearly
admonishes his brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
Saint John says, “If a person has worldly means:” now be aware of this
phrase… for it is not a statement of judgment; whereas, Saint John did not say “You
had the means but you did not help!”
Rather Saint John states, “If you have the means, but refused to help?”
Now Christians, we can learn from the Book of Acts on how and what,
it may mean to decide whether you as an individual may have the means to help
and yet choose to refuse or whether you do not have means, to help, for other
considerations of obligation; whereas, Ananias and Saphira had every right to do
what they wanted with their property; however, because they lied to Saint Peter
and because their lie was spoken in the presences of such holiness, like Judas,
who burst apart because of his evil deed, they both Ananias and Saphira had what
would amount in today’s language, a stroke or a heart attack and they fell to
their death.
Now Christians, as
Saint John continues to teach, he says, “Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn…
then have confidence in God.”
Now
Christians, this statement must be appreciated in context of what Saint John is
writing; otherwise erroneous conclusion: through temptations, pacifications, and
indulgences may be rendered…. First
of all Saint John is talking to individuals who he knows very well, as brothers in
Christ Jesus, and these individuals -- seeks to walk as Christ Jesus did walk and
they are not individuals, who are looking for means to justify their sins; inasmuch,
as we know that some individuals are perfectly content in their hearts or so
they say, but are openly and rebelliously living in sin and in accordance with
sinful behaviors…..
Now Christians,
the Palmist is exuberant, in his joy for God, the Heavenly Father.
For we see the image of a person, who knows what God has done for them,
and they look to the heavens, and cry out in joy with all of their being: “Let
all the earth cry out to God with joy!”
Now Christians in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be
thankful.
Amen.
Friday, January 12th
2018
The First Week in Ordinary Time
1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22
Psalms 89:16-19
Luke 7:16
Jesus preached, he spoke, the word unto them: in soulful wholeheartedness Christ Jesus sincerely uttered the words of life, unto his neighbors – blessing them with life and in grace and truth. Now Christians, it is fair to mediate upon the reason(s) – why the Israeli Elders would go, to Samuel, and ask for a king, to be appointed over them; especially considering their given reason… “That they wanted to have a king because of other nations had them!” A question arises, “Why would they give their, individual, sovereignty over to a king – to a man?” Now without a doubt, there were incidents of dispute among neighbors; such things are typical, but to give over to another person, the right to settle that dispute is a questionable course! One reason, they may have sought this was, an individual can be influenced to decide in favor of something, through political means – a king can be bribed…. Yet, if this was the case, it only shows that these men were not seeking to live according to the righteousness of God and to serve God, our Heavenly Father, rather they were seeking to serve mammon and were looking after their wealth, rather than their neighbors; Samuel, a Prophet of God, our Heavenly Father, was displease…. Still, Samuel prayed to God the Father, and God’s answer is quite startling: “God the Father spoke to Samuel, the way Our Heavenly Father did speak, to his Prophets, and said – ‘Samuel it is not you that they are rejecting, they are rejecting me as their king!’” Now Samuel spoke to the Elders, in full, and told them all the things that would happen, if a human-king was appointed over them; since they were rejecting God, the Heavenly Father’s kingship. Now, even, knowing all of these things that would happen, the Elders, of Israel, preferred the darkness of their deeds to the light of goodness and Righteousness of the Heavenly Father, which we find, when we love our neighbor as we love ourselves. They were willing to give up their sons and daughters to a king, for a favorable ruling against their neighbor; they were willing to give up their sovereignty of theirs lands and their goods, for a favorable ruling against their neighbor; they were even willing to become slaves to a king, for a favorable ruling against their neighbor; and we know, the evil and the wickedness of many, of the kings in Israel’s history…. Yes, there were some kings who did serve God, the Heavenly Father and they were able to manage to bring-back, the Israeli people from being scattered, and being abused by their captors; however, mainly, the Israeli kings were a corrupt lot and an immoral bunch, who served the flesh and themselves, and did not give two hoots about serving God, the Heavenly Father and his righteousness, which is loving our neighbor as we love ourselves…. The Elders refused to listen to Samuel’s, warnings, and they wanted to be ruled by a king…. Now, Samuel, and through whatever relationship Samuel, the Prophet had with the Heavenly Father – Samuel did learn that God said, “Grant their request and appoint them a king to rule them!” Remember now Christians, one of the conditions God, the Father put on being ruled by a king, “When you Elders and you people come to me, in complaint, of being ruled by a king” – God, the Father said, “That – he would not answer them;” simply put: they, the Israelites got what they asked for, a king to rule over them, and we should be careful for what we ask because we will likely get it, in one form or another…. Now Christians, the Psalmist is in the most jovial inspiration: “Singing, ‘Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.’” The Psalmist tells us, “When you know the Lord, or the people who know the Lord; they shout with joyful thanks!” The Psalmist is writing about the person who knows God, the Heavenly Father and knows that God is forgiving; he is just and merciful; and that his way is truth and grace. The Psalmist speaks in writing telling us that God the Father’s words, of life, Christ Jesus, is our splendorous strength; for the Lord did indeed show himself many times unto the Israelites and did show himself, in the person of his Son, the Lord Christ Jesus: who is the way, the truth, and the life…. Yes Christians, the Psalmist’s songs of goodness are confirmed and restated, in the Gospel of Luke; for Luke knew this man, Jesus, the Christ: who rose from the dead; who walked on the water; who turned water into wine; who healed the leapers; healed the lame; heal the possessed; and give us the words of life, and if we take up the inclination… we will prove to ourselves that – Christ Jesus’ Gospel is life and truth and grace. Now Christians Jesus saw the faith of the man who was a paralytic and because of his faith, Jesus said; “Your sins are forgiven.” However, when the scribes heard this... they questioned, “How can any person forgive sin; for they believed only God could forgive sin…?” Now Christians in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus pray and be thankful. Amen.
Friday, January 19th
2018
The Second Week in Ordinary Time
1 Samuel 24:3-21
Psalms 57:2-4, 6 & 11
2 Corinthians 5:19
Jesus appointed the twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter;
James son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the
son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed
him….
Now Christians, in the mind of
Saul, the king, we see that he was serving, the flesh, rather than serving God,
the Heavenly Father; for he was filled with envy that David had been anointed
to be, the new King of Israel....
Also,
because of this envy and his ungracious mind, Saul chose to listen to those who
lied about David, the shepherd boy, who God, the Heavenly Father had Samuel,
anoint, as the next king of Israel.
Now, it just so happens or perhaps God, the Father was working in the hearts and
minds of these three thousand picked men and as well, Saul, the king, but Saul
fell directly into the hands of David, who at the time, of this related
incident, was considered to be an outlaw, by the prevailing government: that
being Saul the king and his court; nonetheless, David chose not to kill Saul,
but instead took a piece of his mantle as proof that he could have killed Saul….
Still, David, the fugitive shepherd boy/man was guilt ridden, for having
even taken a piece of Saul’s, the king’s, mantle….
Now, this guilt ridden, un-peaceful, restless heart of David prompted him
to action – David came out of the cave and bowing, and calling out to Saul, the
king, “My Lord, why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to do you
harm?’”
Furthermore, David said, "The
Lord told me that he would deliver my enemies into my hands,” but then the
Lord, who is great and mighty, also, just now impelled me, with the choice of
sparing your life or taking it – the Lord forbid that I should take the life of
his anointed, by laying the sword upon you.”
Now Christians, the imagination of conscience is a wonderful thing, but
we are to test all spirits and bring all of our imaginations, under the power and
authority of Christ Jesus’ Gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sin and
sinfulness and it just so happens that the imagination may tempt us to think,
“That David took a piece of Saul's mantle, while Saul was still wearing it.”
However, it is much more likely that Saul had taken it, his mantle off, while he
was in the cave, and then David was close enough, to Saul, to cut a piece of the
mantle off or to have killed Saul; David chose to cut a piece, of material, off
of the mantle....
Now, it was likely
dark enough in the cave that Saul did not see the cut piece, of his mantle, when
he put it back on: this being speculation and has little force of impact on the
fact that David chose not to kill the Lord’s anointed, Saul, the King of Israel....
Still, the fact that David’s imagination impelled him to cut a piece of
the mantle after he had chosen not to kill Saul, does play a significant part in
the outcome between God, the Father, Saul the king, and David, the newly
anointed King of Israel….
As David
was calling out for the attention, of Saul, and bowing in respect and honor of
his king, Saul – he held up the piece of cut mantle, this cut mantle being the
afterthought that vindicated David and showed Saul, “See, my lord, my father, to
me – I am not your enemy for I could have killed you this very moment, but
rather pity filled my heart and the Heavenly Father was in my mind – telling me
not to kill his anointed one, and I obeyed, the Lord God of all Creation!”
Then, David, being the newly anointed King of Israel says a remarkable
thing to Saul, “The Lord our Heavenly Father will judge, will decide between you
and me; may he God, the Father see that I was obedient and take my part, and
grant me justice, may the Lord our Heavenly Father's Righteousness be done upon
me.”
Now Christians, Saul, the
anointed King, of Israel, finally comes to his senses and becomes the Man, who
the Lord God our Heavenly Father knew, and then calls out to his son… David, “Is that
your voice David?
Yes!
David you are right rather than I, Saul; you have treated me generously,
while my mind was filled with the want of harming you....
David, be blessed, you showed great generosity today, when the Lord
delivered me into your grasp, but you heard the impelling voice of the Lord, our
Heavenly Father and you were moved to obedience; you did not kill me….
Now David!
Saul says; “I have
been indeed treated generously and you have harken, your heart, to the Lord God,
of Abraham, the God of Noah, and the God of Seth, and you have spared this
wicked old King, a complete legacy of shame, and now I know you will truly be
King of Israel.”
Now Christians,
yield your hearts and minds to the Lord God, our Heavenly Father’s way, truth,
and life that being: the Lord Christ Jesus; let Christ Jesus’ words and
teachings be your refuge… for your hearts and minds, and their truth will set
you free....
Yes Christians, seek to
understand that the Lord, our God the Heavenly Father’s mercy towers to the
heavens and his faithfulness to the skies....
Now Christians, God, the Heavenly Father reconciled the earth and
humankind unto himself through the sacrifice of his Son, the Lord Christ Jesus
and the Lord Christ Jesus paid the penalty for humankind’s sins, and now, by and
through Christ Jesus we may receive grace for the forgiveness of our sins -- that
is, when we repent our sins and sinfulness and bring forth fruits worthy of
repentance, which in all cases is to go and sin no more; still, it can be more
than this, too -- for it may be the remuneration of both talents and wealth.... Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus pray and be
thankful....
Amen.
Friday, January 26th
2018
Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops
2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
Psalms 96:1-3, 7-8, & 10
See Matthew 11:25
Jesus spoke in parable…, to those who came to listen, and
many did come to listen; for it was said of him, by some, that he was the
promised Messiah, and without parable…, he did not speak to them….
Now Christians, when we think of the promised life in Christ Jesus we do
not only think of eternal life, but we think of being pleasing unto the Heavenly
Father, and being fruitful in every good work….
Yes Christians, there is much to be done; there is much life to be lived, everyday, as Christians: increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthen
with all might, according to his glorious power, unto patience, endurance and
long suffering, yet filled with joy.
Now Christians, one thing that we should ascertain is to whether our conscience
is clear, in accordance with the glorious grace and truth of Christ Jesus’
Gospel and whether we are: casting down all imaginations that rise up against
the knowledge of God and then bringing every thought captive into obedience to
Christ Jesus or whether, we are living by our own accord…, of what we believe
Christ Jesus’ Gospel teaches?
Yes
Christians, let us pray night and day for one another; knowing that temptation
is always present, and that we must overcome every speculation and every
thought, which may rise against loving one another as Christ Jesus loved us.
Christians, we are not to lean upon our own understanding, for this would
be living by our own accord – rather than, conforming our hearts and minds to
Christ Jesus’ way, truth, and life; certainly, we are able to understand that
the flesh of humans is sinful, with its: pride and greed and its lusts, and that
it is by and through the grace and truth of Christ Jesus’ sacrifice, on the
cross, that we are spiritually and then physically able, to overcome our sinful
flesh.
Yes Christians, our spiritual
affirmation of Christ Jesus that he is truth and life, and that we have a joy of
peace in our lives -- for nothing can separate us from the love that is in Christ
Jesus, brings us to a sincere faith, which we hope and pray that all Disciples
of Christ Jesus will recognize and receive.
As well, we continue in our prayers that all hearts and minds, of all
people, will see truth, and walk in the light that is Christ Jesus: choosing to
deny – not that our flesh is sinful, but choosing to deny – the acting upon: its
pride, its greed or its lusts.
Yes
Christians, remember that we do not overcome evil, with more evil and we do not
overcome hate, with more hate, but that we overcome evil and hate, with the love
that is in Christ Jesus.
Christians,
stir into flames the gift of God; for God, the Heavenly Father and his Son, the
Lord Christ Jesus did not bring grace and truth to humankind so that we would be
cowards, but that we would seek the kingdom of heaven and the Heavenly Father’s
Righteousness; furthermore, the gifts of God, our Heavenly Father bring to us: a
power; they bring Christ Jesus’ love; they bring us self-control, which is a
gift of the Holy Spirit….
Therefore,
Christians, do not be ashamed of witnessing that we are to love our neighbor as
we love ourselves, but that greater than this, is... the first part of the
commandment, “That we love the Lord God, our Heavenly Father: with all of our
hearts, with all of our minds, with all of our strength and with all of our
being, that is with all of our souls.”
Now Christians, do not be dismayed that our brothers and sisters endure
hardships – for, in these hardships, we see as citizens of truth, life, and grace
that God, the Heavenly Father has indeed given to humankind a freewill, to
choose: either evil or holiness, to choose sin or repentance, to choose love of
brother or trying to control people through tyranny and hate – God has given us
a freewill to seek his way, truth and life or to deny it; Christians, choose
life and choose Christ Jesus….
Now
Christians, Saint Paul writes to his brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus;
speaking that they must set things right – the Church is a gift from God, the
Heavenly Father and the head of the Church is the Lord Christ Jesus.
Now Christians, let us proclaim God, our Heavenly Father’s marvelous
deeds: that he so loved the world that he gave to us his only begotten Son, the
Lord Christ Jesus, so that we may repent of our sins and overcome our sinfulness
and be reconciled to God, our Heavenly Father, whose name is hallowed….
Yes Christians, sing a new song, sing all you lands and sing that blessed
be the name of the Lord, our Heavenly Father and the Lord Christ Jesus.
Speak and proclaim that all individuals, all peoples, and all nations:
will receive their just desserts, and that the Day of Judgment beckons us to
repentance.
Yes Christians, say and
proclaim that Christ Jesus is truth and that he is life; that Christ Jesus is
goodness and kindness; and that he is love of neighbor as love of self; and
proclaim and speak of Christ Jesus’ righteousness, grace, and mercy.
Proclaim and speak among nations that the Lord Christ Jesus is king; that
God has made the world firm, not to be moved; and that he, God, the Lord Christ
Jesus governs people with equity.
Yes Christians, blessed is our Heavenly Father; for his way is of sincerity, of
love of neighbor, and spiritual oneness with God, the Lord Christ Jesus.
Now Christians, in Christ Jesus’ name let us pray and be thankful.
Amen.