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Feb
12

Gosepel of Matthew 19, Jesus Ministry in Judea

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Day 19 , Matthew 19-

Good day everyone!

With 5 days left before lent — make sure that you are thinking and praying about your spiritual plan — take the last three days and check my other blog postings coming soon on this same website!!!  We will continue this one chapter a day with only 9 days left in the Gospel of Matthew!!

 71 days left in our 90 day marathon run!!!  Whooo hooo!  Come Holy Spirit!

OK let’s jump right into the Gospel today — another action packed chapter!

Today is the first day in a new section:

Ministry in Judea and Jerusalem

I see three valuable riches in this chapter:

  1. The Nuptial Relationship
  2. Which Rich Man are YOU?
  3. All Things are Possible

 

  1. The Nuptial Relationship- OK so here we have it — Jesus talking about divorce again — he mentioned this first in Chapter 5 but don’t forget now we are in Jerusalem and it must be addressed again – this time a little more specifically! 

We are going to see that Divorce is a lot more than two people who can’t live together — or fall out of love — it is the breaking of a convenant  made before God where God joined two flesh together as ONE! 

This is very hard – but very very important to pray and ask for supernatural understanding!  I’m going to take a shot at explaining a theological truth that I don’t think is addressed too often but that I am sure you will see –

             God is three persons – Father, Son, Spirit – but ONE God.  He is relational by nature – He is one nature – DIVINE!

Our Redemption is accomplished in a nuptial relationship – where Jesus takes on flesh and has a human nature and a divine nature — He is fully human and fully divine — so that we could be ONE with Him in HOLY COMMUNION!  

We are the bride and HE is the bridegroom!  So HE is the head of the body and we are the body!  Jesus is male in gender and His body the church is female in gender.  It is a marriage!

God ordained that marriage between human beings would be an image of the nuptial union between God and man.  And so he made a man and a woman together to form the sacred union and the two really do become ONE flesh spiritually in marriage!

Now this might seem odd for the guys out there… but just think that you are in the ONE body — it doesn’t make you a woman just because the church is female in gender …so don’t worry! When it comes to the ONE body – we are all united.

This is why there cannot be woman priests — because the priest acts in the person of Chirst “in persona Christi” in the Mass and we -the body in the congregation are His Church – His bride —

In the Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is made present – not another sacrifice but the same ONE is represented and it truly is Jesus the Bridegroom–

so — Jesus is a man therefore the minister must be a man!  The congregation is His body – united as one as and so the responses come from the Bride!  And the work that is being done is redemption.  Liturgy is the greek word for “work of the people”.

During every Mass the mission and work of redemption continues.  We join with Jesus to offer the only acceptable sacrifice to the Father – HIS ONLY SON!  Jesus makes this sacrifice through the priest who is able due to the Sacrament of Holy Orders. 

This is the HOLY Sacrifice of the MASS — not preaching, or teaching, or any other kind of Ministry — and Jesus calls us to work with Him – He designed it that way!

This is why the Blessed Mother is called the Spouse of the Holy Spirit because she gave her YES – and was there all through the passion on our behalf – standing where we now stand in faith.

This is also why marriage has to be between a man and a woman!  Marriage under God as a Sacrament is a sign that makes Jesus Christ present on earth!! 

The love between the man and the woman brings forth fruit —the child.  This is an image of the Love of the Father and the Son which brings forth the Holy Spirit. 

So again the two become one flesh -

-So what God has joined together no human being must separate this.

I think this is really key here — God has joined the marriage together — so therefore how can we think that we can just go off and break it up on our own without God. 

So why did Moses command a bill of divorce?  Jesus says,

“Because of the hardness of your hearts”

hmmmmmmmm

Ok I am divorced — and I can say that statistics are showing at least 40% of marriages ending in divorce.

So what has happened over time that this number has gone up?  It used to be you were an outcast if you got divorced — it is now acceptable and we see a lot more divorce —

bottom line is — Jesus even said — “Not all can accept this word but only to those who it is granted”  Again special grace is needed to see this truth!

The last paragraph goes on to say that God has a will and plan for everyone and for many marriage is not part of the plan —

For some… they were not born for marriage…long story but keep in mind that we are all created perfectly as a little child but then the effects of original sin kick in and someone might be attracted to the same sex – etc…

I’ve done a lot of study in this area – as it is close to home for me!!!  Bottom line is God creates nothing but goodness!!  What happens after that is another story! The effects of original sin!

And then we see religious life there when Jesus says that some renounce marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven!  That means that some people have received the grace to wait until the real marriage in heaven and choose to enter into that marriage with Jesus now!  Religious life — Sisters and Brothers.

     2. Which Rich Man are YOU? Jesus ends the last section with the hard saying … and now enters into a light moment with the children –and it is all about trust — and here we see Jesus saying,

“Let the children come to me” 

So why do we see this right in the middle of the saying of divorce and then the story of the rich man — again the call to be like children – to accept his teaching!

Now we come to my other FAVORITE event in the bible!!!  We could do a whole week on this! 

“The Rich Young Man”

I love this story because we have this rich young man come to Jesus with material wealth… and yet the man knew that He was missing something! He should have it all but he doesn’t!

The man asks Jesus, “what good must I do to gain eternal life?”

I love the way Jesus says… Good? there is only one who is GOOD and that is GOD!  So you see there is no such thing as being a good person — it is a Godly person who is Good!  Because the very word good — means GOD!!!

Then Jesus answers — to BE good — follow the commandments!  God’s laws are for OUR GOOD!

Then if you really want to go full force … and BE perfect– sell everything you have and give it to the poor and

YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN…

                                                    ..then come and follow me!

3. All things are POSSIBLE! – Jesus then turned to His disciples and said “Amen I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Again I say to you 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.”

            In Jerusalem there is a very narrow way that someone can enter into the east gate of  the temple  —It is called the “eye of the needle”

 His point of not passing through the eye of the needle – is a good one as when you see it in Jerusalem, it is impossible for anything too wide to fit into this opening –

So the disciples were feeling confused again — how could anyone leave their great inheritance?  They asked , “then who can be saved?” and “What about US?”

Jesus answers ” For Human beings this is impossible but for God all things are possible” 

OF course this is GRACE in a nutshell!

Better to be the SPIRITUAL RICH man instead of the PHYSICALLY RICH man –

Peter immediately wants to know how this will all pan out for the disciples who have given up everything?

Jesus says to them…

“Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel…

and everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”

Given up? what does that mean?  I see it as given up — in prayer — ie

a brother in prayer… who isn’t changing HIS ways ===I give him up to God — situations, homes etc….

then Jesus finishes by saying…

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first–

Ok so Jesus is speaking to us in the new age too!  He is letting us know that we who are later can still be first — we can still be huge saints!!!

JESUS gave all that to the apostles who were first … but He has so much more for those who give up everything for HIM!

What do you think?

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  • Anonymous

    I know I am missing something here…Jesus goes from one thing to another and they are always connected in some way and I do not always see it, as in some parts of today’s reading. Even reading the small print at bottom of the pages. I’m wondering if the people to whom he was preaching and teaching were as confused as I am? or perhaps maybe it is the method of their speech (the speech of that time).
    It’s hard for me even to be specific; I sort of feel unsatisfied or dissatisfied because I cannot say I see everything Jesus is saying.
    I do have one example where Jesus is talking about Moses commanding a bill of divorce. To whom was he commanding the divorce, and why did he do it -regardless of the hardening of their hearts.?

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    OK good question — and you are so right — some things seem confusing and know that it is good that you realize it and ask God in prayer to show you-so don’t be discouraged — see it as a grace that God has you right where He wants you to be — asking questions- for your specific question… the people wanted a divorce — and it seems that it was mostly the men who would decide they wanted to leave their wives — and what Moses did was to tell them that they at least had to give the wives a bill of divorce that would prove that He had let her go — ie — back then unfortunately women were like property – so Jesus says that Moses allowed this divorcing and required a bill of divorce be given to the woman because that was the best he could do with this stiff necked people who mostlikey were not going to listen to him and to God’s laws — Jesus is trying to set the record straight that even though Moses allowed this –that it is not the way God intended it to be– which is why Jesus goes back to Old Testament teaching — a man leaving his family to become one with his wife — and He makes it clear what marriage is intended to be and the way it will be in the New Covenant — does that make better sense now! Moses wasn’t commanding divorce — he allowed it — because of their hardened hearts Jesus says — hardened so they wouldn’t follow the law about marriage.

  • judystefencavage

    I know I am missing something here…Jesus goes from one thing to another and they are always connected in some way and I do not always see it, as in some parts of today's reading. Even reading the small print at bottom of the pages. I'm wondering if the people to whom he was preaching and teaching were as confused as I am? or perhaps maybe it is the method of their speech (the speech of that time).
    It's hard for me even to be specific; I sort of feel unsatisfied or dissatisfied because I cannot say I see everything Jesus is saying.
    I do have one example where Jesus is talking about Moses commanding a bill of divorce. To whom was he commanding the divorce, and why did he do it -regardless of the hardening of their hearts.?

  • Anonymous

    i dont understand how people who have a bad marriage and need a divorce do not go to the church for an annulment. maybe the church wont feel an annulment is possible. but many times it is. so please, those who feel they have to divorce, try for an annulment. this is a Blessing from the church.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Thanks for adding your encouragement — the key here is that it is not just a “bad marriage” the marriage has to be “unlawful” just as Jesus says — the key here is to focus and understand that the two are one flesh— and so it can’t just be broken up by man — only if Jesus through the church see it to be unlawful and every person must pray and seek out counsel so best is for each person to go speak with a priest –

  • Anonymous

    We tend to think that having a comfortable life is a sign of God’s favor. If we live right, then things should go well for us. Conversely, if things go wrong we might ask “What have I done?”. Neither assumption is correct. Typically religious have left things of the world to be free for service to God and neighbor. Saints like Francis of Assisi considered riches a handicap and got rid of them. We have many good people who know they are missing something, but aren’t ready to let go of some of the creature comforts. Lent is coming up, a time when we can evaluate if some of the things in our life make our life to crowded for God to get in. We now have professionals who will come to our house to put the clutter in order. We need a pro to help us with the intellectual spirit-blocking clutter. Jesus is the one who wants to carry out the trash. Some of life’s downturns may just be vehicles that God uses to help us dispense with some things that we had considered we could not live without.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    OK good question — and you are so right — some things seem confusing and know that it is good that you realize it and ask God in prayer to show you-so don't be discouraged — see it as a grace that God has you right where He wants you to be — asking questions- for your specific question… the people wanted a divorce — and it seems that it was mostly the men who would decide they wanted to leave their wives — and what Moses did was to tell them that they at least had to give the wives a bill of divorce that would prove that He had let her go — ie — back then unfortunately women were like property – so Jesus says that Moses allowed this divorcing and required a bill of divorce be given to the woman because that was the best he could do with this stiff necked people who mostlikey were not going to listen to him and to God's laws — Jesus is trying to set the record straight that even though Moses allowed this –that it is not the way God intended it to be– which is why Jesus goes back to Old Testament teaching — a man leaving his family to become one with his wife — and He makes it clear what marriage is intended to be and the way it will be in the New Covenant — does that make better sense now! Moses wasn't commanding divorce — he allowed it — because of their hardened hearts Jesus says — hardened so they wouldn't follow the law about marriage.

  • marionraffa

    i dont understand how people who have a bad marriage and need a divorce do not go to the church for an annulment. maybe the church wont feel an annulment is possible. but many times it is. so please, those who feel they have to divorce, try for an annulment. this is a Blessing from the church.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Thanks for adding your encouragement — the key here is that it is not just a “bad marriage” the marriage has to be “unlawful” just as Jesus says — the key here is to focus and understand that the two are one flesh— and so it can't just be broken up by man — only if Jesus through the church see it to be unlawful and every person must pray and seek out counsel so best is for each person to go speak with a priest –

  • padrecarlos

    We tend to think that having a comfortable life is a sign of God's favor. If we live right, then things should go well for us. Conversely, if things go wrong we might ask “What have I done?”. Neither assumption is correct. Typically religious have left things of the world to be free for service to God and neighbor. Saints like Francis of Assisi considered riches a handicap and got rid of them. We have many good people who know they are missing something, but aren't ready to let go of some of the creature comforts. Lent is coming up, a time when we can evaluate if some of the things in our life make our life to crowded for God to get in. We now have professionals who will come to our house to put the clutter in order. We need a pro to help us with the intellectual spirit-blocking clutter. Jesus is the one who wants to carry out the trash. Some of life's downturns may just be vehicles that God uses to help us dispense with some things that we had considered we could not live without.

  • Anonymous

    Don’t worry, Judy, this is confusing to me too. I was divorced 14 years ago. I was left for another woman, but I found out that he had been cheating since the firts day of our marriage and is still in the same boat. He divorced that woman and has had more than three relationships since then, plus the sidekicks. In this chapter, there is a condition for the allowance for divorce, fornication. So I feel I could divorce him, because of that. Except nothing is said about women divorcing her husband. As to annulment, that is to say there was never a marriage, and I have a hard time with that too. I am still praying for enlightment in this matter.

  • Anonymous

    You are soooooo right Padre. I am going through that right now, please pray for me.

  • cuquilavergne

    Don't worry, Judy, this is confusing to me too. I was divorced 14 years ago. I was left for another woman, but I found out that he had been cheating since the firts day of our marriage and is still in the same boat. He divorced that woman and has had more than three relationships since then, plus the sidekicks. In this chapter, there is a condition for the allowance for divorce, fornication. So I feel I could divorce him, because of that. Except nothing is said about women divorcing her husband. As to annulment, that is to say there was never a marriage, and I have a hard time with that too. I am still praying for enlightment in this matter.

  • cuquilavergne

    You are soooooo right Padre. I am going through that right now, please pray for me.

  • Anonymous

    Marie, a day late; however I always go back the next day to see what and if I missed anything. People share and ask questions that help me understand. I do understand what you are saying and what is meant by that passage.
    So much more simpler that I had anticipated!!

    And to Cuqui, thanks for that encouragement.

  • judystefencavage

    Marie, a day late; however I always go back the next day to see what and if I missed anything. People share and ask questions that help me understand. I do understand what you are saying and what is meant by that passage.
    So much more simpler that I had anticipated!!

    And to Cuqui, thanks for that encouragement.