Gospel of Matthew 22, Jesus in the Heart of Jerusalem

When reading about the wedding, at first I thought the first invited were the people of Judea and the last were the gentiles, provided we had the right garments, white like Marie says. But I also thought that we get invited to that wedding many times in our lives, and we don’t always answer. And I am going to tell you one of my stories again. My parents have always been very near the Lord and active workers in the Church. Ever since I remeber, my father has been a leader in the CHurch and socially. He has been president of resident’s associations, social clubs, etc., but more important he has been a leader with my mother in the CHurch. They have been in Rome several times representing different movement, etc. And so, even though we have gone through things that would seem devastating to others, in my home we have gone trhough them with the Lord as our guide, and the event has made us more near to the Lord. I always so them as two people of faith. I have always seen my father as a lion.
A few years ago my father was diagnosed with emphesema. Little by little we have seen his health deteriorate. Now he has to have therapy every 4 hours, oxygen all the time and about a year ago he had to stop working. Before he stopped working fears started filling his heart. They are still active in the Church, but more like followers now. The go to Sunday Mass, First Friday Mass, prayer meetings every week, etc. But my father was terryfied: of dying asfixiated (pardon my English, is not my language), of loosing his house because he is not generating income and of what will become of my mother if he dies. And he prays a lot asking God for peace, but he can’t stop the fear. And I have seen him suffer over this for the last 5 years. Four years ago, I sold my house in San Juan (PR’s capital and where I work) and bought an apartment next to them, in a resort to the East of San Juan, on the beach. It is a beautiful place and, most important, the air is pure, which is important to my father’s health. Beacause he is not working, and he knew this would happen, they have tried to sell this place many times and they haven’t. We have talked about this a lot. My father’s being alive is a miracle that even his physicians can’t explain. Most of his frienda that were not even sick have died before him.
Last Saturday I went to their house to explain my decision of selling everything and start anew. I asked if I could live with them until I could get on my feet again and of course I was welcomed. ALthough they were sad at first, may father started to talk and I could see that he was really calm. He recognized that even though he preached faith, he was not beig faithful. He said “I always worked all my life and not being able to work now is killing me.” He said that the only thing he could do bow is pray and he realized that maybe that is why God has kept him alive, so he could pray. What a revelation!
Sorry I am being long. My point is that we get invited to God’s feasts and we don’t always answer, because we want to tend our fields or our business, as in the reading. This time I decided to follow His call and instead of a tragedy, it will be a blessing. This feast that we have decided to attend to will be great. I will be free of debt nad worries, I will be able to help my parents and my father has found a new “work,” to pray, which is so much neede in the world. I could tell you about my mother too, but this is too long, I will another time. Many times we don’t go to the Lord’s feast and we miss all the blessings that come from that celebration.

I love to read Cuqui’s posts; they encourage me in my quest for more faith and trust in Jesus. I just cannot get over how God puts people in my life, either directly or in directly.

One little tidbit I read twice now in the little explanations at bottom of pages of each chapter. Matthew is thought to be a Gentile, some of the things he wrote come from a Gentile knowledge of places and things from that time.

This is a good chapter, very interesting. They are trying in every way possible to trip up Jesus, but as we know no one can do that. In my life I compare that with – at times – my excuses why I don’t pray enough or don’t trust God enough. But when it comes down to the line, I cannot fool HIM! I am being lazy period or too worldly period. There are no excuses why I do not have sufficient faith at times to trust God to do the right thing, because I want some things to turn out the way I want them.

As in Cuqui’s testimony about her father, so lovingly told, God has HIS plans and I must be content with just that, not why or why not. And to stop trying to get around HIM by excuses or rationalizing. And thank God by these readings and the posts and your (Marie) explanations I am beginning to SEE.

When reading about the wedding, at first I thought the first invited were the people of Judea and the last were the gentiles, provided we had the right garments, white like Marie says. But I also thought that we get invited to that wedding many times in our lives, and we don't always answer. And I am going to tell you one of my stories again. My parents have always been very near the Lord and active workers in the Church. Ever since I remeber, my father has been a leader in the CHurch and socially. He has been president of resident's associations, social clubs, etc., but more important he has been a leader with my mother in the CHurch. They have been in Rome several times representing different movement, etc. And so, even though we have gone through things that would seem devastating to others, in my home we have gone trhough them with the Lord as our guide, and the event has made us more near to the Lord. I always so them as two people of faith. I have always seen my father as a lion.
A few years ago my father was diagnosed with emphesema. Little by little we have seen his health deteriorate. Now he has to have therapy every 4 hours, oxygen all the time and about a year ago he had to stop working. Before he stopped working fears started filling his heart. They are still active in the Church, but more like followers now. The go to Sunday Mass, First Friday Mass, prayer meetings every week, etc. But my father was terryfied: of dying asfixiated (pardon my English, is not my language), of loosing his house because he is not generating income and of what will become of my mother if he dies. And he prays a lot asking God for peace, but he can't stop the fear. And I have seen him suffer over this for the last 5 years. Four years ago, I sold my house in San Juan (PR's capital and where I work) and bought an apartment next to them, in a resort to the East of San Juan, on the beach. It is a beautiful place and, most important, the air is pure, which is important to my father's health. Beacause he is not working, and he knew this would happen, they have tried to sell this place many times and they haven't. We have talked about this a lot. My father's being alive is a miracle that even his physicians can't explain. Most of his frienda that were not even sick have died before him.
Last Saturday I went to their house to explain my decision of selling everything and start anew. I asked if I could live with them until I could get on my feet again and of course I was welcomed. ALthough they were sad at first, may father started to talk and I could see that he was really calm. He recognized that even though he preached faith, he was not beig faithful. He said “I always worked all my life and not being able to work now is killing me.” He said that the only thing he could do bow is pray and he realized that maybe that is why God has kept him alive, so he could pray. What a revelation!
Sorry I am being long. My point is that we get invited to God's feasts and we don't always answer, because we want to tend our fields or our business, as in the reading. This time I decided to follow His call and instead of a tragedy, it will be a blessing. This feast that we have decided to attend to will be great. I will be free of debt nad worries, I will be able to help my parents and my father has found a new “work,” to pray, which is so much neede in the world. I could tell you about my mother too, but this is too long, I will another time. Many times we don't go to the Lord's feast and we miss all the blessings that come from that celebration.

I know exactly waht you mean, Judy. We do try to go aroubd Him, thinkig we can fool Him. Thank God, though, that he is not like the Lord in the parables. What would happen to us if He only gave us two (2) chances! That is LOVE, reasl LOVE. We have to pray that we understand him the first time, like Joseph. He never asked any questions, just rose and left. What we don’t seem to ubderstand is that we are happier with Him than without Him!!!

This morning I went to my father with a list of things to pray for, I will add your name and mine in that list, so that we learn to answer His call the first time.

I love to read Cuqui's posts; they encourage me in my quest for more faith and trust in Jesus. I just cannot get over how God puts people in my life, either directly or in directly.

One little tidbit I read twice now in the little explanations at bottom of pages of each chapter. Matthew is thought to be a Gentile, some of the things he wrote come from a Gentile knowledge of places and things from that time.

This is a good chapter, very interesting. They are trying in every way possible to trip up Jesus, but as we know no one can do that. In my life I compare that with – at times – my excuses why I don't pray enough or don't trust God enough. But when it comes down to the line, I cannot fool HIM! I am being lazy period or too worldly period. There are no excuses why I do not have sufficient faith at times to trust God to do the right thing, because I want some things to turn out the way I want them.

As in Cuqui's testimony about her father, so lovingly told, God has HIS plans and I must be content with just that, not why or why not. And to stop trying to get around HIM by excuses or rationalizing. And thank God by these readings and the posts and your (Marie) explanations I am beginning to SEE.

Thank you so much Cuqui, I have a feeling your father’s prayers are very powerful.

cuqui, thank you. many of us are in such despair. you give us hope.

I know exactly waht you mean, Judy. We do try to go aroubd Him, thinkig we can fool Him. Thank God, though, that he is not like the Lord in the parables. What would happen to us if He only gave us two (2) chances! That is LOVE, reasl LOVE. We have to pray that we understand him the first time, like Joseph. He never asked any questions, just rose and left. What we don't seem to ubderstand is that we are happier with Him than without Him!!!

This morning I went to my father with a list of things to pray for, I will add your name and mine in that list, so that we learn to answer His call the first time.

Gosepl means GOOD NEWS — and I think you are making it come alive for all of us reading!!! This WORD of God is meant to do just what it is doing! Transforming us!! Into the likeness of Jesus Christ! Praise God for this beautiful testimony!!!

This is AWESOME insight!!! Absolutley fantastic! When we face the truth — we are set free! This is grace! Congrats!

Thank you so much Cuqui, I have a feeling your father's prayers are very powerful.

cuqui, thank you. many of us are in such despair. you give us hope.

Gosepl means GOOD NEWS — and I think you are making it come alive for all of us reading!!! This WORD of God is meant to do just what it is doing! Transforming us!! Into the likeness of Jesus Christ! Praise God for this beautiful testimony!!!

This is AWESOME insight!!! Absolutley fantastic! When we face the truth — we are set free! This is grace! Congrats!