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Feb
13

Gospel of Matthew 20, Jesus- Least is Greatest!

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Day 20 – Matthew 20

Good day everyone!!

OK 4 days left before we begin the HOLY SEASON OF LENT! 

Don’t let this lent go by without a spiritual plan!  The laity are called now more than every to daily disciplines and spiritual habits — the grace is available during LENT!

Spend the three days before Ash Wednesday — that is tomorrow SUNDAY – Valentine’s DAY — what a great day to say to OUR LORD that you want HIM to show you the ways HE would like to build up your relationship with HIM during LENT!

Check the blog post in Spiritual Cleanse section!

OK so today we have the second chapter of Jesus in Jerusalem and the region of Judea now getting closer to Calvary by teaching in Jerusalem.

I see three golden nuggets in this chapter!

  1. The Last shall be First and the First shall be Last
  2. THIRD Passion Prediction
  3. The Blind will SEE

1. The Last shall be First and the First shall be Last – OK so we are not finished with this very powerful verse – saying of Jesus!  We must meditate on these words – because Jesus wants this word to penetrate our hearts today!

When I taught elementary school children K-8th grade — whenever the little ones would line up they always wanted to be first!  They would push and shove and cut the line to be first!! 

I used to say to them…

“You know what Jesus says… the first will be last and the last will be first” … those little ones at the end of the line would perk up and smile…. and then they would all fight to be last… YIKES!

anyway…

This chapter deals with teaching us that being first doesn’t matter — it is being the least —

like the little child — who is the least in society right?

In the parable “The Workers in the Vineyard” Jesus demonstrates exactly what He is speaking about when it comes to us entering into heaven.

When you read that some the landowner hired right away early in the morning… at 9 o’clock he went out again and then at 12 noon and then at 3pm…. interesting,  

…we read he saw others “idle in the marketplace” and He sent them to work.

You know at this point that GOD is the landowner, JESUS is the foreman and the laborers are those in the kingdom of God-those in the body of Christ - and you see that Jesus does the hiring -

–some report in for work – and were there early in the morning ready to get started… and we see Jesus seeking out the others – going out at all times during the day –

this represents life — all throughout the ages and life and all throughout YOUR life Jesus is calling and seeking you to work in the Kingdom — now!

I love this part where is says… some were “idle in the marketplace” — I see this as those who are not working for the kingdom – basically not doing anything and distracted by the marketplace -

- I see the marketplace as the world and all that it offers to lure us away from working in and for the kingdom, and it includes all that the enemy uses to keep us idle!

OK what is so cool is that the landowner is still hiring at 5pm! 

Are you kidding me? – isn’t the work day over? 

If you look at your life — ok maybe you are 70 or 80 – isn’t it too late? 

NO!  JESUS IS STILL HIRING!!!  Praise the LORD!

He asks those still not working at 5pm, it says those “standing around”

“Why do you stand here idle all day?”

…and they answer “Because no one has hired us”  then he says,

“You too go into my vineyard”

So many people are idle even today because they haven’t been hired — maybe God’s waking them up but there is no one to put them to work –

—since we work for Jesus we become His hands and feet to put them to work!!!

…and that doesn’t mean they do your laundry either!!

Then in the evening — the OWNER of the vineyard – God…

… said to His foreman – Jesus –

“SUMMON the laborers and give them their pay,

beginning with the last and ending with the first”

What?  Who ever heard of such a thing?

And when they all saw that each one received the same daily wage — the ones who were there working first were angry!!!  They didn’t think it was fair!!

God makes the point in this story — that anyone at anytime in their life can receive the gift of eternal life and enter into heaven — even if they have been in sin their whole life — if they repent and turn around the same reward is given as with the person who has been following Jesus their whole life –

This gives so much hope to people so they don’t have to think — WOW — I am so behind — yes you may think you’ve wasted so many years being idle but rejoice in the present – the “PRESENT” is a gift!

We can see God’s hand in the past if we really look — and then we just get to work now and make it our mission to join in Jesus’ mission so that others do not remain idle and say – no one hired us!!!

God is free to give as He chooses — we don’t have to be envious of anyone else and what they receive from God!!

He is a generous God and I still say — that we can look at the apostles and think WOW — they have such a high place in heaven…

… but in these last days before Jesus comes again — in this NEW AGE — the time before He returns God wants to raise up Mighty Saints! 

YOU MUST BELIEVE that you can be a saint — and start today to allow GRACE to make those changes and YOU cooperating with GRACE – to make them a reality!

WE need our brothers and sisters in Christ in community to assist us and the HOLY COMMUNION of the SACRAMENTS — nurtured by the WORD OF GOD!

2- THIRD Passion Prediction – So here is the number three again!

And each time Jesus gets more and more specific with details of the passion — isn’t this so cool — I mean to just watch this unfold — it is mind boggling!  I just can’t imagine being one of the twelve and wondering what they were thinking?

– I mean we know and believe that the WORD of GOD does not give us everything that happened — which is why our Faith is built on ORAL TRADITION too — remember big T — what was orally transmitted — same way that the OLD Testament was orally transmitted until it was finally written down and put into a book -

- not until after Jesus lived — I mean they had scrolls with some things written after a while —but they didn’t have a book! 

So much we can learn too by reading the early church fathers writings — and that is also part of our Church teaching.

OK so here it is pretty specific and it is sandwiched between the last will be first and first will be last –

- and in walks the mother of the sons of Zebedee – James and John!

Don’t you just love her timing!!!  So good to see that even in Jesus’ time we see moms pushing for their sons to be in high places!!! 

So she wants Jesus to COMMAND that her too sons sit one on His left and one on His right in the kingdom!

I mean she knew what she wanted for her boys — and so why don’t we see Jesus saying –”O what great faith woman”  wasn’t He excited by this request?

NO — he just gave the third prediction of His Passion — he says –

“YOU do not know what you are asking!”

I mean the Blessed Mother knew what she was asking at Cana when she initiated Jesus to begin His ministry which was heading only one place and that was to the cross — and Our Lady said yes knowing the suffering she was about to experience — but she was FULL OF GRACE!

Then he turns to the boys and says —

“Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”

they say “WE CAN”

(reminds me of the song by LeAnn Rimes “WE CAN” from her greatest hits album — you can go to YOUtube.com and type in We Can by LeAnn Rimes — it will fire you up!  Just be sure when you are singing to plug in the name Jesus – and HE CAN!!!)

anyway…

they say “WE CAN”

and Jesus says — ok you are right — you are going to have to drink this cup!!!

I mean we are talking about James who ends up leading the church in Jerusalem — and here we are in Jerusalem — and then JOHN — the BELOVED of Jesus –

so of course Jesus is knowing what lies ahead -not only for himself but that they will have to go through it too -

It is like — a parent who knows a child has an illness or will have to go through a very difficult time — and the parent knows what lies ahead but does the parent explain the whole thing with all the gory details?

NO because they know that not only will the child not understand, even if explained… but also the parent wants to protect and guide the process so as to have it be as painless as possible for the child.

When I got divorced suddenly 13 years ago — my children were three and one years old — I spoke to a counselor at the time who gave me ONE piece of advice that I never forgot and it really assisted me in guiding my children through the process of not only the divorce, but also why we were getting divorced, which was hard for a child to understand — let a lone an adult!

So she said — only tell a child what they are ready to hear — how do you know they are ready? -

- they will ask questions — when they ask — only answer the question they asked at that time -

- you will be tempted to tell them more — but only answer what they asked because whatever they ask — that is the information they are ready to receive!

I followed that and it worked beautifully — and I also saw that when I didn’t follow and tried to tell them more than they asked, they reacted negatively and I quickly remembered the advice and stopped! 

So I tested it and it works!! 

Jesus knows this and He also tells them that they will surely drink the cup — but where everyone is going to sit in heaven… that is something special prepared for by the Father!

The key here to get in touch with the fact that God has already prepared a place for you and everyone you love in heaven! 

It is up to you to say YES that you want to get there! 

I personally want an OCEAN view dwelling!!! 

As close to Jesus and the PRAISE ROOM as possible!

So I will do whatever is required!!!  Whatever it takes!!! Where do you want to be for all eternity?  This life here is only a short distance run for preparation!!  A warm up — the long distance in heaven and how we are able to live there depends on this warm up!!!

When the other boys start flipping out because the two brothers were seeking a higher place — Jesus let them know that it is a Gentile thing to Lord over people position – and authority — that is not so when we speak of Kingdom things and ways –

even the word AUTHORITY — means to God something even more powerful and descriptive than the idea we might have in our heads –

– maybe we didn’t have good examples of authority growing up and that taints our understanding and we are tempted to rebel!

The Kingdom is so opposite in many ways from the way life is here — remember who runs this world and its ways –

– the enemy himself and his goal is to make sure that we are NOT PREPARED FOR THE KINGDOM!!!

WE MUST get really close to JESUS and get these last words of this section in us —

Jesus says… Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be YOUR SERVANT — Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be YOUR SLAVE!

Just so the Son of Man did not come to BE SERVED but TO SERVE – and to GIVE HIS LIFE as a RANDSOM for many!

OK we really need to meditate on these words and if you take time during LENT to really ask the LORD what He means and what this means for you — it will be different how it plays out in each of our lives — but it will LOOK LIKE JESUS no matter what!!!

3- The BLIND will SEE- Now do you think it is a coincidence that the healing of the vision is for TWO MEN?  Hmmmmmm

I mean usually we see one man or woman being healed at a time – interesting!

So this says to me that first of all — for us to even understand what it means to be the least and to serve in the  kingdom of God – we need spiritual healing of the eyes!!  WE need to see!

Now Jesus and the apostles were in Jericho — and that is in the area of Judea surrounding region around Jerusalem but not in the city walls. 

These men called out to Jesus as He was passing by –

“LORD SON OF DAVID HAVE PITY ON US”

We read that the crowd warned them to be silent!!

But they called out all the MORE!!!! 

So who is this crowd and why did they want to silence the blind men?  Didn’t they want them to be healed?

You know this crowd could be the spirit of the world — and that spirit does not want to see Jesus healing and setting people free!!!

It could also be loved ones who – don’t want to see those blind men disappointed — you know — what if they get their hopes up and then Jesus doesn’t stop and heal them –

Or how about the attitude of so many… You know – why would Jesus heal you — He’s got bigger things to do –

So pray and see what the Spirit wants to say to you in this healing of blindness truth –

and remember that sometimes when we are silenced we can see it as a sign to call out all the more — we might have to give it all we have –

Persistence — Perseverance — Passion — Prayer- Praise – lots of Ps!!!!!!!

NEVER GIVE UP!!!  That is one thing my father taught me — Praise GOD!

JESUS STOPPED and CALLED them —

Is Jesus — stopping by you and CALLING YOU — to a healing today?

But He will ask you a question…as He asked them… 

“What do you want me to do for you?”

They specifically answered His question…

“LORD let our eyes be opened!”

MOVED – with pity – JESUS touched their eyes…

IMMEDIATELY they received their sight — and FOLLOWED HIM!

There we have it!!! 

WE need spiritual eyes and sight in order to FOLLOW JESUS!

Physical healings are great — and we rejoice but the real healings are those we require to Follow Jesus — youcan still follow him with a physical ailment– but not with a spiritual ailment!

Ask the Lord that you may see — and to have pity on you — be poor beggar of grace!!!

The Lord wants us to come to Him in faith and ask — because we want to know Him!  And love HIM!

I can remember — I might have already told you this story — but a very anointed priest with a healing ministry came to our parish — and I knew a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer — her faith was very weak — and there were many blocks there that she had with understanding and God’s church etc…

But I wanted her healed and I knew that this would build her faith and so I asked the priest to come and pray for her –

When he got to her he asked her what do you ask of Jesus? –

She didn’t know what to say — so he said would you like Jesus to heal you of the cancer ?–

She hemmed and hawed and said — “Well I mean if He wants to” -” I mean really whatever God wants” — but she said it with such a sign of indifference — like — not believing that this could possibly do anything for her — and that maybe she was just supposed to have the cancer –

The priest went back and forth with her for a few minutes just trying to get her to say that she wanted to be healed —

So the priest finally said — “OK then Keep the Cancer” and walked away!

I ALMOST DIED!!!  I WAS SO ANGRY and UPSET!!! 

HERE IWAS trying to build up someone’s faith — and he had the gift of healing and just walked away…I was beside myself!

I -I- I -I- I- I- I- I- I- I- I- I- I- I- I- I- I

in case you don’t get it    I   wanted it for her  and   I wanted her faith built up!

Not she!

We prayed a lot for her and she ended up blessed by God and Praise God He still has more that He wants to teach her because she is still with us — in remission –

But I know I learned a lot that day — and after prayer realized that this priest was acting just as Jesus –

We don’t read of all the people who did not ask — only the examples of the healings that came after Jesus was asked — he asked and the faith filled person

answered —

so think on these words — like little children who ask and know EXACTLY what they want –

LISTEN– I just took my daughter Alicia shopping for a school formal gown –

she had me in and out of stores — oh she knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn’t want — (I just had my cousin sew mine when I was that age)

We know how to know what we want with material things — why not about spiritual things?

The other extreme is like this woman with the cancer — indifference –

YES we have to say WHATEVER GOD WANTS –and ACCEPT GOD’s WILL

… but remember this is a relationship — and when someone says — Where do you want to go to dinner — and your answer is always — I don’t care — whatever you want — after a while that gets boring!!!  Do you really not care?

That is what happens in the spiritual life — most people don’t care!

So learn and grow and have some hopes and dreams that God would awaken some spiritual gifts — with vision — and see how pleased God will be and what JOY you will experience in your relationship with HIM!

What do you think?

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  • Anonymous

    I have always found confusing this business about prayer. There is a dichotomy in “ask what you want” and “Thy will be done.” I really believe that God answers prayers, ALWAYS. I really believe in “ask and you shall receive. And I really believe that the answer is the best for us. But I have found that God does not always gives us exactly what we want. As Mother Angelica says, I have prayed for two or three years and the have fell on my knees thanking God for not giving me what I asked for and giving me something much grater. So as the years have gone by, my prayers have been “Look Lord, I have this problem and I want it solved. I think that the best for me is x, and that is what I am asking for, because that is what I want. But, PLEASE, don’t give me that if that is not the best for me, just give me the best.” I remember somewhere in the Gospels, Jesus was asked for a healing, a physical healing, and He healed the person, but he also forgave his sins, which He had not been asked for. So, even though I say what I want, I always also ask for the whole package.

    I have a favorite person who also had cancer, and I believe she also didn’t think at first that she could be healed. I have seen this person go through a very difficult and hard life. and when she started praying, God touched her in a very special way. I wonder if she realizes how much He has touched her. Starting whith her house which is now in Order, she has found God who is her “consuelo” (sorry, I don’t know the english word for that – something like pacifier, but feels your heart with joy). She had problems with one child, that have not been solved, but he is getting treatment and is being taken care of. Her husband has health problems and he is being taken care of too, so she has the time to give to God. She had to go through a lot to get these helps, and she did it while she was sick. I think all the time and effort it took to get all these helps were part of His plan to change her. And she had her cancer operation. Just before the operation, she learned that her doctor was a jew and he had met the Pope and the Holy Father had blessed his surgeon hands two or three days before. And she is in remision now. She still has a few aches, but I think those aches keep her very near the Lord. And people who see her after the operation and chemotherapy and radiation find her more beautiful and full of joy. I have seen the transformation in her life, 360 degrees. I am not sure she realizes how much her prayers have been answered and how much God has entered her life, her whole life. And I thank God for that, because we love her very much, we have seen what her life was like before she let Him into her life and how her life is now. Even though she doesn’t realize it, she is happy, even with all the complications in her life, that have really been taken care of. I thank God for her.

    I am sorry I always have a story to tell and never a comment on the readings. I just get carried away by God’s work around me.

  • Anonymous

    Sorry, I want to go back to Padre Carlos’ comment yesterday:
    “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.”

    I believe that many times by not letting go of material things and comforts not only makes our hearts too crowded for God to get in, even if He does get in we can’t see His hand in our lifes, because our attention is on the clutter or in our fear of loosing that clutter. Thak you Padre, again for your words.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    I love this story! That woman sounds blessed — and like a true testimony we have to look back only to reflect and see and give witness to God’s hand and His blessings!!! Transformation can happen fast – but usually a change that happens over time!!! The compounded effect of following Jesus every day! Praise God for this share! Your stories are right on and bless those who read!!!! Thank you!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    I am so glad you brought this up again — I think I will be reading Padrecarlos blog post from yesterday a few times before ash wednesday and I recommend anyone who didn’t read it == you can go back and click on day 19
    thanks for bringing it back up!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    OH I meant to comment on your point about prayer and asking and God’s will — I know what you mean — I think as Catholics we walk a fine line and we have a principle in Catholic Theology that goes like this “both and” so while at times things seem to contradict they don’t because it is both and — so you are supposed to surrender to God’s will — that is His plan for you and what He knows is best for you — for what — for you to know Him, to serve Him and love HIm in this world and to be happy with Him in heaven forever. So while it is the plan that we say whatever you want Lord — he will put the desire in our heart if we let Him by grace for His will — then He wants us to ask for it — and be specific for things we need to know Him, serve Him, and love Him —– when you study the saints you see them going to God on behalf of sinners all the time begging for salvation for them — and they are so specific — and someone like Mother Angelica and Mother Teresa would get specific and would be specific in their prayer life to make time for God — I heard a priest say yesterday — you make time for God and then plan your day around that — he said at least 1/2 hour in prayer a day — and if you are busy make it longer – 1hr —great share

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    OH and I do know this woman very well — I too wonder if she realizes how much GOD LOVES HER!!! And how much other people love her — and how God has taken care of every detail in her life? True miracles when all looked bleak and hopeless –all this woman has to do is remember where she was — and it should be instant praise for God!!! NONSTOP!!!

  • cuquilavergne

    I have always found confusing this business about prayer. There is a dichotomy in “ask what you want” and “Thy will be done.” I really believe that God answers prayers, ALWAYS. I really believe in “ask and you shall receive. And I really believe that the answer is the best for us. But I have found that God does not always gives us exactly what we want. As Mother Angelica says, I have prayed for two or three years and the have fell on my knees thanking God for not giving me what I asked for and giving me something much grater. So as the years have gone by, my prayers have been “Look Lord, I have this problem and I want it solved. I think that the best for me is x, and that is what I am asking for, because that is what I want. But, PLEASE, don't give me that if that is not the best for me, just give me the best.” I remember somewhere in the Gospels, Jesus was asked for a healing, a physical healing, and He healed the person, but he also forgave his sins, which He had not been asked for. So, even though I say what I want, I always also ask for the whole package.

    I have a favorite person who also had cancer, and I believe she also didn't think at first that she could be healed. I have seen this person go through a very difficult and hard life. and when she started praying, God touched her in a very special way. I wonder if she realizes how much He has touched her. Starting whith her house which is now in Order, she has found God who is her “consuelo” (sorry, I don't know the english word for that – something like pacifier, but feels your heart with joy). She had problems with one child, that have not been solved, but he is getting treatment and is being taken care of. Her husband has health problems and he is being taken care of too, so she has the time to give to God. She had to go through a lot to get these helps, and she did it while she was sick. I think all the time and effort it took to get all these helps were part of His plan to change her. And she had her cancer operation. Just before the operation, she learned that her doctor was a jew and he had met the Pope and the Holy Father had blessed his surgeon hands two or three days before. And she is in remision now. She still has a few aches, but I think those aches keep her very near the Lord. And people who see her after the operation and chemotherapy and radiation find her more beautiful and full of joy. I have seen the transformation in her life, 360 degrees. I am not sure she realizes how much her prayers have been answered and how much God has entered her life, her whole life. And I thank God for that, because we love her very much, we have seen what her life was like before she let Him into her life and how her life is now. Even though she doesn't realize it, she is happy, even with all the complications in her life, that have really been taken care of. I thank God for her.

    I am sorry I always have a story to tell and never a comment on the readings. I just get carried away by God's work around me.

  • cuquilavergne

    Sorry, I want to go back to Padre Carlos' comment yesterday:
    “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.”

    I believe that many times by not letting go of material things and comforts not only makes our hearts too crowded for God to get in, even if He does get in we can't see His hand in our lifes, because our attention is on the clutter or in our fear of loosing that clutter. Thak you Padre, again for your words.

  • Anonymous

    So much in this chapter!!! – Wanting to go to heaven has always occupied my mind. I can remember as a child I pictured in my mind – me in Heaven…kneeling in front of God on His throne, in the company of lots of angels singing HIS praises. and every once in a while peeking up at HIM to see HIS beautiful countenance. However it was so brilliant I couldn’t see HIM, and HE was so big!!

    Another way I have always thought of this was when I went to Mass. The tabernacle always held my interest.. I envisioned Jesus inside – sitting in a rocking chair. He had a beard and in his mouth a nice pipe. Sitting there rocking and waiting for me. It was like a one room house with trees outside the window swaying in the gentle winds. The inside was all white. What am I getting at here? I think my desire to get to Heaven

    And “the first being last and the last being first” personally tells me about humility and my need to be more humble. I also agree with Cuqui about praying to God for things. If God had given me what I was praying for when I was away from the Church, I would surely be dead or in a bad way. But HE knew if I got only what I truly needed for my soul that eventually I would come back to HIM, which I have done; through HIS grace.

  • Anonymous

    how happy this person must feel after reading this. she probably had not realized the change in her life. so she will probably feel thankful that someone pointed this out to her. so many times we do not see and when someone shows us we do see. that person probably has had so much help from her family in puerto rico and her daughter and i am sure she is thankful for all of them.

    for all of you who go thru hard times, having God at your side makes all the difference in the world. how sad for those who do not know this.

    thank you, cuqui, for sharing. how happy this person must feel after reading this. she probably had not realized the change in her life. so she will probably feel thankful that someone pointed this out to her. so many times we do not see and when someone shows us we do see. that person probably has had so much help from her family in puerto rico and her daughter and i am sure she is thankful for all of them.

    for all of you who go thru hard times, having God at your side makes all the difference in the world. how sad for those who do not know this.

    thank you, cuqui, for sharing.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    I love this story! That woman sounds blessed — and like a true testimony we have to look back only to reflect and see and give witness to God's hand and His blessings!!! Transformation can happen fast – but usually a change that happens over time!!! The compounded effect of following Jesus every day! Praise God for this share! Your stories are right on and bless those who read!!!! Thank you!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    I am so glad you brought this up again — I think I will be reading Padrecarlos blog post from yesterday a few times before ash wednesday and I recommend anyone who didn't read it == you can go back and click on day 19
    thanks for bringing it back up!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    OH I meant to comment on your point about prayer and asking and God's will — I know what you mean — I think as Catholics we walk a fine line and we have a principle in Catholic Theology that goes like this “both and” so while at times things seem to contradict they don't because it is both and — so you are supposed to surrender to God's will — that is His plan for you and what He knows is best for you — for what — for you to know Him, to serve Him and love HIm in this world and to be happy with Him in heaven forever. So while it is the plan that we say whatever you want Lord — he will put the desire in our heart if we let Him by grace for His will — then He wants us to ask for it — and be specific for things we need to know Him, serve Him, and love Him —– when you study the saints you see them going to God on behalf of sinners all the time begging for salvation for them — and they are so specific — and someone like Mother Angelica and Mother Teresa would get specific and would be specific in their prayer life to make time for God — I heard a priest say yesterday — you make time for God and then plan your day around that — he said at least 1/2 hour in prayer a day — and if you are busy make it longer – 1hr —great share

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    OH and I do know this woman very well — I too wonder if she realizes how much GOD LOVES HER!!! And how much other people love her — and how God has taken care of every detail in her life? True miracles when all looked bleak and hopeless –all this woman has to do is remember where she was — and it should be instant praise for God!!! NONSTOP!!!

  • judystefencavage

    So much in this chapter!!! – Wanting to go to heaven has always occupied my mind. I can remember as a child I pictured in my mind – me in Heaven…kneeling in front of God on His throne, in the company of lots of angels singing HIS praises. and every once in a while peeking up at HIM to see HIS beautiful countenance. However it was so brilliant I couldn't see HIM, and HE was so big!!

    Another way I have always thought of this was when I went to Mass. The tabernacle always held my interest.. I envisioned Jesus inside – sitting in a rocking chair. He had a beard and in his mouth a nice pipe. Sitting there rocking and waiting for me. It was like a one room house with trees outside the window swaying in the gentle winds. The inside was all white. What am I getting at here? I think my desire to get to Heaven

    And “the first being last and the last being first” personally tells me about humility and my need to be more humble. I also agree with Cuqui about praying to God for things. If God had given me what I was praying for when I was away from the Church, I would surely be dead or in a bad way. But HE knew if I got only what I truly needed for my soul that eventually I would come back to HIM, which I have done; through HIS grace.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    This is fabulous and shows that you truly have received Grace upon Grace —- great visuals which are so important!
    I love this — keep believing and trusting!!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    This is great — we have to pray for people to turn back to God! We have to go before the Lord on their behalf! They don’t know because they don’t Know God!!! It was sad for us at one time and we can’t forget about where we came from — we must keep vigil on their behalf the same way the military keeps vigil on our behalf —

  • Anonymous

    I think this Lent will be a graced time for those who remain faithful to this study. Marie’s commentary has livened up what could have been a dull exercise in the past. We may be like the workers just getting started in late afternoon. The satisfaction of ploughing through the scriptures is there for those who have lately begun to unearth it as well as for those who have been working at it for awhile. No one begrudges another who might have only recently become involved. On the contrary, all rejoice. Especially when one has put off God and finally admits one’s need and allows God to heal and help.Like the blind men we have to say, “Open our eyes”. Help us to see what you have put in front of us. For Lent we could ask ourselves (and God) “What am I doing here, for heaven’s sake?

  • marionraffa

    how happy this person must feel after reading this. she probably had not realized the change in her life. so she will probably feel thankful that someone pointed this out to her. so many times we do not see and when someone shows us we do see. that person probably has had so much help from her family in puerto rico and her daughter and i am sure she is thankful for all of them.

    for all of you who go thru hard times, having God at your side makes all the difference in the world. how sad for those who do not know this.

    thank you, cuqui, for sharing. how happy this person must feel after reading this. she probably had not realized the change in her life. so she will probably feel thankful that someone pointed this out to her. so many times we do not see and when someone shows us we do see. that person probably has had so much help from her family in puerto rico and her daughter and i am sure she is thankful for all of them.

    for all of you who go thru hard times, having God at your side makes all the difference in the world. how sad for those who do not know this.

    thank you, cuqui, for sharing.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    This is fabulous and shows that you truly have received Grace upon Grace —- great visuals which are so important!
    I love this — keep believing and trusting!!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    This is great — we have to pray for people to turn back to God! We have to go before the Lord on their behalf! They don't know because they don't Know God!!! It was sad for us at one time and we can't forget about where we came from — we must keep vigil on their behalf the same way the military keeps vigil on our behalf —

  • padrecarlos

    I think this Lent will be a graced time for those who remain faithful to this study. Marie's commentary has livened up what could have been a dull exercise in the past. We may be like the workers just getting started in late afternoon. The satisfaction of ploughing through the scriptures is there for those who have lately begun to unearth it as well as for those who have been working at it for awhile. No one begrudges another who might have only recently become involved. On the contrary, all rejoice. Especially when one has put off God and finally admits one's need and allows God to heal and help.Like the blind men we have to say, “Open our eyes”. Help us to see what you have put in front of us. For Lent we could ask ourselves (and God) “What am I doing here, for heaven's sake?