Conversations with you

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  Mathew 11:21 This message from Jesus written over 2000 years ago still holds true today.  Do we live in communities of Chorazin, Bethsida and Capernuam or are we more like Tyre and Sidon?  We are ignorant to the words written in the Bible because we feel they were written the people of 2000 years ago.  The Bible is alive to as much as it was when Jesus was preaching 2000 years ago.  We are a people of Chorazin, Bethesda and Capernuam where the Bible is alive and living among us but we are expecting more miracles or more of something from Jesus that will then make us believe.  Our faith comes from his dying on the Cross and three days later his resurrection to new life.  We have the ability to accept or reject the teacher, it all depends on what you want to believe. From a meditation of Fr. Basil W. Maturin: “It...

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:57-62 Today we read of three different instances where people were willing to follow Jesus, but first had to take care of personal situations.  Do you think Jesus was harsh in his response to each instance?  Jesus is explaining that in order to be a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ you have to be willing to forgo every...

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Luke 9: 18 - 22 Jesus asked to questions in today's Gospel, "who do people say that I am?" and "who do you say that I am?". If the answer for these two questions do not align with each other what are you doing to bring them together?  But we first must ask ourselves are we walking with Jesus Christ in our life or is he on the other side of the street?  Are we 'yoked' with Jesus in our journey through life carrying the cross that was assigned to us.  When your will crosses with God's will, you must decide to walk in God's path of mercy or to struggle through the muck of the hardness of heart against God.  Psalm 144 says it perfectly "Blessed be the Lord, my rock!"  Trust that Jesus lives in your heart and let him shower you with his mercy to share with everyone you meet so that whe...

He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.  Mark 6:28 Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Passion of John the Baptist.  Today in a small was is a consolation of what Stephanie went through during her last period of her life.  John came as a light to the coming of Jesus.  Stephanie is that same light to reveal to the world that Jesus is the truth of what life is meant to be.  Stephanie's suffering was for something, we just have not seen its revelation yet.  Her suffering will be for a good in this world that will change hearts and move minds.  I must decrease that he may increase. Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Holy Spirit brings us grace, truth, life, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the Gospel and inflame my heart with love and zeal for you and for your will.