Be a Hero - Homily 3rd Sunday OTB

 (Readings)

A week ago, a friend of mine who is an elder at Lutheran Church outside of Kansas City, sent me his Church Security Plan for review and comment. It’s about keeping their church safe.

Yesterday, someone parked their motor home on St. Lawrence’s parking lot. Instead of being welcoming and loving, parishioners challenged them and made them unwelcomed. The parishioners were only trying to keep our church safe.

In our community and country we experience tension and anger towards each other, even in people who call themselves Christians.

The evil one will attack where he finds our weaknesses.

That’s scary. We must be brave.

Friends, remember this, God made us to be heroes.

When I was young, we lived in the country. Cattle roamed free and would gather outside the house at night. They made weird scary cow noises. Darkness made it extra scary.

I’d try pulling the covers over my head; but, I always ended up in my parent’s room. My mom would say, “Don't be afraid, be brave, and say your prayers. Jesus is always with you."

She would add, the cows are scared, too.

Our scripture readings are scary - if you don’t understand them. They describe times of distress and darkness seen even today in the reality of diseases, hunger, poverty, violence, and oppression.

It’s scary; but, these have always existed. Jesus said, “Not a generation will pass before these things come about.”

Not a generation has passed without them. They have happened and will happen. It is what scripture promises.

But, these scriptures, also promise life.

They call us to life and justice. They promise eternal life. They point to hope.

These scriptures tell us Christ is coming again.  

They tell of trials to come; scary things if we forget that Jesus is always with us.

We live our life in a time of tribulation experiencing suffering and crisis. The sun (our outlook) is darkened, and everything can be in disarray.

It would be simple if God solve these problems; but, that is not the way He created the world. That’s not why He gave us life and a mission to care for creation and each other.

We were made heroes in Christ, for by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.  

And the wise shall shine brightly and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.

We are to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, cloth the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned. We are to love our neighbor.

These are the precepts of our church our faith built by the blood of martyrs, heroes.

We can be heroes in Christ. We may not have superpowers like in the movies, but God in his wisdom has given us all the super powers we need.

God gave us intelligence to ask questions and find answers. He gave us courage to defend what is right. God gave us voices to champion justice and a nature for hope.

He gives us freedom of yes or no and good or evil; freedom to be heroes or not. 

The idea of being a hero is scary. It’s scary to see suffering, to talk to those who don’t believe, and to love those who hate us.

So, take a lesson from the fig tree, sprout leaves and be fruitful.  The hero’s path is the fullness of joy in the Lord’s presence.

Be vigilant to have the strength to stand before him. Live a life that brings hope and leads to justice. Fight this battle until Christ comes again.

"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Christ may come in the next instant. For some it will be a day of terror. The cows are scared, too.

For heroes of Christ made perfect by his sacrifice, it will be a day of rejoicing.

God made us to be heroes; the church calls these heroes saints.

Don't be afraid, be brave, and say your prayers. Jesus is always with you.

Knowing that Jesus is always with you makes a hero. Amen.

Jesus is Watching - Homily 32 Sunday OTB

Audio - Jesus is Watching

(Readings)

Happy Veterans Day, we remember those both young and old who have served our country. The one thing about veterans is their faith. They have faith in their country, the military, and their fellow veterans.

We should all, especially as Christians have such a strong faith. Here are some features of faith. Faith is a good; Faith is a gift; Faith is a choice; and Faith is a challenge.

Faith is a challenge because people find it hard to trust and believe.

In today’s readings are two examples of such faith; two widows who gave from all they had to possibly face poverty, hunger, famine, and death. But despite that adversity, they trusted God.

Today, we struggle with faith, afraid to trust in God’s providence and mercy.  

But Elijah reminds us with these words - Do not be afraid. Give all in faith and by faith it will increase. The jar of flour shall not go empty. The jug of oil shall not run dry.

These words are not about money or worldly goods. They prophesy the prosperity of faith. Faith will build faith.

Everyone has a story of faith; let me share a part of my story of faith.

In the spring of1981, I received a call my Dad was sick and dying. He was not expected to leave the hospital alive. I returned home and found a job to help my family. I promised my dad, if he would get better, I would go back to school. I did the next fall.

As a football player, I weighed 290 lbs. I was no longer a football player, but trying to go to school, pay for it, and survive. It was taking a toll. By the end of the spring semester I weighed 190 lbs. I had lost 100 lbs. in two semesters.

I was starving. I worked part time at Kmart and most of my meals were left over sandwiches from the deli. At closing, you could buy a ham sandwich for 10 cents. But, there were not always sandwiches left or 10 cents in my pocket.

I never lost my faith; but, it was challenged. I prayed a lot. I knew God was calling me. I searched for him.  I kept trying to leave Monroe, but God had a reason for me to stay.

There is a treasure in not having 10 cents. People like you for you. They help you when they can. Since, I had to walked most places, I asked the new girl at work for a ride; and, the rest was God’s plan.

My friends, Jesus is watching.

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed the crowd. He saw those making a show of it and He saw those giving from what little they had.

In the Bible, widows are the poorest of the poor. The two widows in today’s reading gave from all they had to God. Just like Jesus. Compare their sacrifices and struggles to ours.

We live in an affluent country. For some the struggles may be about money or food; but, for most its not. Some may have life and death struggles, but, for most its not.

The thing most struggle with is placing our lives in the hands of God. We are afraid to sacrifice the control we think we have in our lives and surrender it by faith to God.

Don’t be afraid. Even when faith is a challenge, it is still a choice and a gift.

The widows were afraid. They chose to give to God from all they had.

Jesus may not have been afraid, but listen to his words in the Garden of Gethsemane. “My soul is sorrowful even to death…. Father, if possible; let this cup pass from me.” And still, Jesus made the choice of the cross.

Choices of faith bring more; by faith you will increase.

Sustenance came from the widow’s act of faith in Elijah’s story. Honor came from the faith displayed in the widow’s few coins in the gospel.

Our salvation came from Jesus’ faith in us  as he hung on the cross. Give all in faith and by faith and it will increase.

You may have guessed, the girl who gave me a ride was my wife Janet. She made a choice that day by her faith in me. Last week was the 34^th anniversary of that first date. Her faith was that God meant for us to be together and she was going to make it happen.

She took the flour that was me, and mixed it with the oil of her faith. She brought me to the Bread of Life. Her faith opened my heart to God.

Remember, Faith is a good; Faith is a gift; Faith is a choice; and Faith is a challenge.

In that challenge, everyone has a story of faith and Jesus is watching it.

Be good, be holy, and by faith preach the gospel and love one another from all that you have. Amen

The Harlot, The Stranger, The Sinner - Reflection 31st Sunday OTB

readings

The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, all our understanding, and all our strength; and, the second is to love our neighbors as our self. 

This is a hard thing to do.

It is hard because to love our neighbor is to truly love God. That is where we run into trouble.

To love God is to love our neighbor with understanding and strength. This is where we fail.

People don't seem to be able to love by the example Jesus set. We fail to love our neighbor and in that we fail to love God.

We fail to love our neighbor because we see them as the harlot or the stranger or the sinner. It is hard for us to love  in the way Jesus expects from us.

The harlot has ideas different than us. It may be a different sexual view. It may be a different political view. It may be a different faith. It may be a different belief. 

I watched a local minister on television state preach that every Christian that did not worship as his church worshiped was wrong and would never know God. Other Christian’s faith was corrupt and like an unfaithful harlot.

Everyone can be a harlot.

Every stranger comes from someplace different. Today we define strangers in political rhetoric. And, strangers scare us by their different faiths, skin colors, or religions. Instead of love for the stranger there is violence.

A man shoots up a synagogue. Another shoots up a Sikh temple. Some say they fight for freedom by interfering with the freedom of others. Protesters shout profanities and spit on Christian monks in a march for life.

The truth is everyone is a stranger.
 

Sinners are hard to love. Maybe, it is because we see our self in the sinner. Instead, we consider our self as perfect, closer to God than a sinner. 

We’d rather judge others and ignore our own sins. 

Need proof, turn on the television. Many point out the sins of the others and ignore their own sins.

It is hard to love a sinner; it is hard to love our self.

When He created us, God breathe life into us. Each of us has that breath of God in us. No matter if we are Christians or non-Christian, believers or non-believer, harlot or stranger or sinner; we all have that part of God in us. When we fail to love our neighbor, we fail to love God. 

To love the way God wants us to love is a hard thing to do. I know from experience.

God asks us to bring all our heart, and all our understanding, and our strength to loving our neighbor and loving our self. Then we can love God.

Despite how hard it is for us, God still loves us in His perfect love.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

I Can See - Reflection 30th Sunday OTB

readings 

We are all made by God for good things. One good thing is to praise and give glory to God.

When I had cataract surgery, after the surgeon placed the new lens in my eye he asked “can you see any better?”

I saw the operating equipment, the doctor, the ceiling, and everything else in the room. All I could do was shout, “I can see - - I can see.”

I shouted so loud my wife heard me in the waiting room. 

My doctor said no one had ever done that before. He needed me to go up and down the street shouting “I can see - - I can see” to advertise for him.

The truth is, I did. I bragged on my doctor to everybody. I let every one know that I could see.

I think Bartimeaus did the same.

Jesus, the divine healer asked Bartimeaus, “What do you want me to do?

Some translations say his answer was “Master I want my sight.” Others, and ours today say “Master, I want to see.”

It is an important distinction. Asking to see is so much more than asking for restored sight. Seeing is a whole lot more than just good eyesight.

Scripture does not say or suggest that Jesus did more than speak to the man. There is no mention that Jesus reached out to the blind man or touched him or spit in the dirt to make mud to spread on his eyes or even washed his eyes with water.

Jesus only spoke to him.

Jesus told Bartimeaus, “Your faith has saved you.” Jesus did not say Bartimeaus was healed or now he could see but that he was saved. 

Immediately, he received his sight. Instantly, he was able to see.

Bartimeus could see who Jesus truly was; more than just the son of David. 

Jesus said “Go your way.” His way was to follow Jesus.

As he followed, I bet he yelled out a lot. The Lord wants us to shout with joy. Bartimeaus probably shouted with joy, “I can see - - I can see.” 

I would have.

There were probably plenty of alleluias and glory to God. His sight was restored. He could see, Bartimeus followed and praised Jesus as the Christ, the anointed one, the messiah, and the chosen one of God.

Look around, many of us are blind today.

There are things that keep us from seeing. Things that keep us from seeing Christ in the world and in our brothers and sisters are anger, bias, jealousy, prejudice, hate envy, paranoia, self protection, and bitterness. It is a darkness that blinds us.

The same darkness covers our country today. There is a horrific blindness to others. A self imposed darkness that keeps us from seeing our brothers and sister from which this nations needs to be healed. It is a darkness of relativism spreading through words and images.

Our nation is not truly blind, we are just not looking. You can see a whole lot of things just by looking. By looking we learn how to see that we are all children of the same God.

Yet,we stare into the darkness and it blinds us from the light of Christ. As a nation we must cry out “I want to see” by the light of Christ that takes away the darkness. In that, we will learn to see. 

We have get away from that blindness to everything but that only concern self to see all the things God has done for others. If we get away from that blindness of our self relativism and pity, we can see all the great things God has done for us.

We must want to see. Seeing can lead to understanding. We see by faith the light of Christ in our community, our family, our church, the Eucharist, and all the sacraments. It saves us. Faith opens our eyes so the Lord can deliver and heal his people. 

In every prayer, every sacrament, every moment of adoration the Lord Jesus calls to our hearts “What do you want of me?”

The problem is how we answer. 

The problem is how does the nation or the world answer. Should it be as Jeremiah wrote exult at the head of nations, proclaim your praise.

“I want to see.”

We are blind, the world is blind. We can either sit still and ask for pity or get up and run to Jesus. The one that can heal us. We can go our way or follow him; the only one that can truly heal the world.

Go out to the world, praise his name, and shout with joy. That shout may be as simple as praising him “I can see - - I can see.” 

The darkness that blinds us does not like us to see.

We are made by God for good things, A good thing is to praise and give glory to God.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel so others can see Christ in the way you live and love one another, Amen.

Zebedee-do-dah Homily 29th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

Zebedee-do-dah Audio

We are made by God for good things. One good thing is that the Lord has patience with us, as we try to realize the good for which we are made.

The lottery jackpot was over billion dollars. I didn’t win. That’s a lot of money. Some of us may have said a little prayer like maybe, Lord let me win this billion dollars; I’ll give you your share… (Are you guilty?)

It is good that God has patience with us.

It’s hard to understand the truth of a billion dollars and how it would impact your life. One man I heard being interviewed understood one thing. He said if he won “I’d have to leave the country because all of his friends and relatives would show up asking for something.”

Like James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who came to Jesus, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.… Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."

They were thinking in their own terms. They wanted glory and probably the riches and power that came with it.

He answered, “Can you drink the cup that I drink?” 

It was hard for the disciples to understand the truth of who Jesus was.

Peter, James and John had witnessed the transfiguration. His disciples had witnessed the miracles. Jesus had told how hard it was for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. He had foretold of his passion, three times; yet, they still didn’t understand Jesus.

None of the disciples did. Instead, they were waiting to win the lottery looking for their billion dollars. It is good that God had patience with them and has patience with us.

How many of us know Jesus’ story, but ask God for the wrong thing. (I’ll raise my hand.) Sometimes, we pray for the easy way.

God’s will for us is not always the easy way. Jesus is our example.

The Word of God took human flesh not to take the easy way. He felt what we felt; He suffered as we suffer.  He came to know our weaknesses. He came and was tested just like us, in every way.

The temptation of wealth and power and glory can lead to sin. The devil tempted Jesus with all these. Yet, he remained without sin. He did not seek wealth, power, or glory; instead, He gave all he was, all he had, and all he did to God the Father.

Jesus told that earthly glory is ruin. Those recognized as rulers hold it over the people and make their authority felt. (Politics anyone)

Whose authority do we follow?

Jesus told his disciples and tells us: Whoever wishes to be great will be a servant; whoever wishes to be first will be the slave of all.

This was His lesson in the truth of riches, power, and glory. It is those who serve others that find true glory. It doesn’t come from all you have, but from serving others.

James and John asked to be at Jesus’ side when he was raised in glory. But, as Jesus was raised on the cross two others shared in his glory. One was on his right and one on his left. Two thieves but only one came to know the truth of His glory.

That glory is the salvation the cross. It is the eye of the needle, the entrance to the Kingdom of God. It is the single point that is the fulfilment of all joys and all desires.

It is good that God has patience with us. On the cross, our Lord prayed- Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

It is good that God has patience with us. Even now, He sits at the throne of grace, the right hand of the father, to intercede for us.

It is good that God has patience with us.

True glory is not found in the riches or the power or the glory of this world. True glory is to give all that we are, all that we have, and all that we do to God by being servants to all.

Many find this truth hard to understand. Only some will understand the true glory of salvation.

We are made by God for good things. It is good that God has patience with us. Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

Physics, a Camel and the Eye of a Needle - 28th Sunday OTB

(Readings)
Podcast: The Servant's Cup - Camel, Needles and Physics

We are made by God for good things. One good thing is the richness of the gifts God has given us to share with the poor.

In college, I was required to take a physics lecture and lab. I had problems with that class. So I prayed and pleaded. If I would have had prudence or wisdom, I’d have gone to class and paid attention. But ultimately, I took the easy way out by changing my major.

Then God in His wisdom gave me a wonderful career as a safety engineer. My job is part of my ministry. I bring Christ to the companies and workers I help. Every time, I use prayer; almost, every time I use physics.

The basic rule of physics is this: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. My job is to prevent that reaction from being an accident.

For something I thought I’d never need, I use physics a lot.

I should have realized that gift sooner. I should have paid attention in class.  But, as a young man, I was too arrogant -- or ignorant -- or lazy -- or distracted to realize this opportunity was a gift I was given. 

That’s the way it is for most of us.

In the gospel, a rich man kneels before Jesus and asks, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

As an answer, Jesus recited the commandments of God.

Excited, the man said he had lived them his entire life. He presumed that is all took to gain eternal life. Presumptions can be based on being too arrogant or being too ignorant or being too distracted.  

He probably had this big smile and thought - I am perfect for this man Jesus.

Jesus, looking at him (possibly seeing an arrogant and ignorant man) loved him still.

Then Jesus continued, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement the man’s face fell, and he went away sad….

He had many possessions. Maybe, he did not realize all his possession were a gift of God. The man was seeking eternal live but did not want to give up the one he was and become the one Jesus wanted him to be.   

St. Paul points out in his letter to the Hebrews; we cannot hide who we are from Christ. The word of God is living and effective, it penetrates our soul to discern the thoughts of the heart. Everything is exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must account. Jesus knew this man.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. That one verse is so important because Love calls for love in return.

For the rich man and for many, the one God wants us to be is not the one we want to be. To follow Jesus then we must forget self and move towards union with him which is love. That involves giving up the one we want to be to be the one God wants us to be.

That’s not easy.

The man had many possessions and Jesus said give them to the poor. The man grew sad and left. Jesus followed it up with these words to his disciples; it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

If I had paid more attention in that physics class, I would know more about getting an actual camel through the eye of a needle.  

But that is not what Jesus means. He is asking us to give up our worldly riches for the Kingdom of God.

Many argue they are not rich; but, God has showered each of us with riches. All the good things God has given us, our gifts, our talents, our opportunities, make us rich.

For some it is money or possessions. For some, it is time, skill, and labor. For some, it is teaching or preaching. For others, it may be just being there for others when they need or time spent in prayer.

If we are all rich, "Then who can be saved?"

Take the modern example of the rich man. It is a person who professes to follow Christ; yet, identifies with wealth or a certain circle of friends, the grandness of their house or car, and the clothes they wear. They refuse to share their gifts because they are part of the one they want to be instead of becoming the one God wants them to be.

Everything is exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must account. And, Jesus looks at them and loves them still.  

Or take the example Rose who lived 97 years. She never had a lot of money or a big house or a new car or designer clothes; yet, she was abundantly rich. Her riches were her smile, her prayers, her faith, her bluntness of truth, and her labors for Christ. She had no possessions the world would call riches, but, gave all she was given to be the one God wanted her to be.

Love calls for love in return.

Praying for wisdom didn’t work in physics; but, prayer is one of God’s richest gifts. Friends, our prayers and talents are the countless riches of the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus truth is for every action done in his name there is an even greater reaction:  “sell what you have, give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then follow me.”

We are made by God for good things. One good thing is the richness of the gifts that we have to share. Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

Everyone is Called to Love - Homily 27th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

Not everyone is call to the vocation of married life. Some are called to be single, some religious, some will lead a consecrated life as a lay person. But everyone is called to love.

The sacrament of marriage is a promise between God and the couple being married. It is also pretty much a Catholic sacrament. Protestant Churches do not recognize the Sacrament of Marriage, arguing it is not in the gospel. Instead it is identified as a religious rite. Maybe, they overlooked today’s gospel.

Friends, we are made by God for good things.

God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." God made us sexual beings and gave us gender. He gave us the gift of marriage and the ability to be fruitful. God made us open to and dependent on each other, they shall become one flesh.

Because of our fallen world that openness and dependence brings vulnerability. Those who are married become vulnerable to the torments of the others sin and its heart-break and suffering.

Sin hardens the heart and destroys marriages; even marriages that are promises to God. Jesus says the destruction of a marriage is not from God but comes from the hardness of hearts. 

Hardness of heart creates violence and abuse – physical, mental, emotional. It creates dissatisfaction, infidelity, and a person that cares more about self than anyone else. Hardness of the heart can justify desertion and reneging on the promise to the spouse, the children, and to God.

The hard heart attacks the heart of others. It is a heart far from love. Hardness of heart assaults the Sacrament of Marriage.

Churches that do not consider marriage a sacrament have little problem with divorce. Churches failing the sacrament may even promote marriage between the same sexes; Husband and Husband or Wife and Wife.

That’s not the way God made us. God made a suitable partner for the man, a partner that is bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh; called woman.

The Sacrament of Marriage Jesus describes is that from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female so that a man would leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

Unless your family is living in the Garden of Eden, it will experience some conflict of marriage. In my family some are on their third, fourth or fifth spouse. There are gay and lesbian couples; some say they are married. That is the real world.

Jesus accepts each of us as the sinners as we are. Do not condemn or turn away another person. Do not condemn who they are. Do not condemn who they love. Accept the ones they love. Each and every person is loved by Christ.

But, lifestyle or personal choices are not to be put before God. Do not change the gospel, the word of Jesus for worldly benefit.

For those who suffer divorce. Marriages are shattered every day by sin found in a hard heart. God loves you and wants to make you whole.

A marriage that is physically or emotionally abusive and filled with deceit, dangerous for you or your children is far from love. God does not want this for you.  A marriage cannot be distant from the promise made to God and to each other.

Answers are found in prayer. Understand your faith. God wants all to know His love, forgiveness, empathy, and compassion brought to the world by each of us and that cannot be found in a hard heart.

A hard heart can destroy marriages and faith. Faith is not the marriage. Faith is a healing and loving union with God. And that comes from grace and by the example of Jesus.

An example we can find in Jesus words, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."

A child does not have a hard heart. A child knows everyone is called to love.

This week, my daughter picked up my grandson from daycare. As she called for him, he said goodbye to the friend he was playing with, pulling his head down to kiss him on the crown of his head. The other little boy didn’t know what to do.

His mother had to tell him, you can’t kiss the others kids at school.

His answer, “That’s the way Pop says goodbye. He kisses me on the head and tells me he loves me.”

No. A child does not have a hard heart. Jesus wants us childlike, loving, and accepting the kingdom of God. 

We were made by God for good things, one is a heart open to love, forgiveness, empathy, and compassion. With an open heart, be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

The Green-Eyed Monster - Reflection 26th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

Moses said to Joshua, “Are you jealous for my sake?”

I know where Joshua was coming from; we can all have a twinge of jealousy sometimes.

For me, jealousy rears its ugly head when I hear great speakers; when I hear words crafted in beautiful ways; when I hear voices rich and full; and when I hear anyone with a beautiful singing voice. My jealousy comes, when I hear myself - off tune and voice cracking. Am I not worthy of more than those who fail to used their talents to glorify God?

Jealousy personified is the green-eyed monster. I have to fight that monster way more than I like. It is the same green eyed monster poor Joshua was fighting.

Joshua had been Moses aid from his youth and was still a young man. He was being groomed as the next leader of Israel. Joshua was probably in the tent with all those leaders who had received the Holy Spirit.

He was worthy to receive the Holy Spirit, not the two who did not even show up. Joshua was not feeling jealous for the sake of Moses.

Moses, my Lord, stop them!!

Luckily, the young Joshua grew out of that jealousy spell he was experiencing.

Maybe, it was the same thing with Jesus’ disciples.

John the youngest of the disciples came to Jesus: "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."

In others words, Jesus, my Lord, stop him!!

Jesus’ reply to John was that “no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.”  

“Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!”

Luckily, John, the youngest disciple grew, out of that jealousy spell he was experiencing.

Jesus goes on to tell us that if your hand causes you to sin cut it, if your foot causes you to sin cut it off, if your eye causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better to enter into eternal maimed than to be thrown into Gehenna.

Find the millstone that weighs us down and keeps us from receiving the Holy Spirit. It may be seeking pleasure or greediness or jealousy or anger or worldliness or something else; cut it off.

Sometimes, mine is jealousy, by my faith, I’m trying to grow out of it. My Lord, stop jealousy from tempting me.

I am learning not to be jealous. Everything I bring to God even if it is out of tune or poorly crafted or meager of words, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God uses it for his glory.

We are made by God for good things. Friends, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be prophets that give glory to God through Jesus Christ. Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ by the way we live and love. Amen.

 .