Continue reading »]]> Day 98, John 21

Happy Resurrection Day! Praise God for His Mercy and Goodness to us!

I see three final points:

1. Do You Love Me?
2. You Follow Me
3. The World Could Not Contain

1- Do You Love Me?

We see right away that Jesus appears to the apostles and they do not recognize Him even after He told them to cast the nets on right side to make a catch — it was John who told Peter …

“It is the Lord”

And immediately we see Peter in his usual dramatic style jumping off the boat and into the water to hurry to Jesus!

They caught 153 fish — it is said that this number represented all the different species of fish that existed and also the number of nations in the world at the time…. very interesting — a number like this cannot pass by without meaning — we know that!

Jesus ate with them and gave them the bread and fish to eat — this was the third time Jesus had appeared to the apostles!

And on this third time it is no coincidence that Jesus spoke to Peter after breakfast …

Jesus asks Peter three times… “DO you Love Me?”

It is said that the three times was one for each of the three denials Peter had made…

Here was Jesus response each time…

Feed My Lambs

Tend My Sheep

Feed My Sheep

Feed my sheep means the little ones — the ones immature in their faith — just staring to grow –

Tend My Sheep — we are taught means Governing — so this is another place where we see Peter being given the authority to govern and lead the sheep!

Feed My Sheep — means the mature ones — Feed them!

How?

With the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist — and with the Scriptures His Word!!!

Peter says “Lord you know that I love you!” but honestly Jesus is thinking — show me!

Peter cracks me up because given what just took place — how could He blame Jesus for wanting to make sure — do you blame Him for checking Peter out?

He asks each time for each of the denials — now this is not the kind of love we tend to throw around — Love you!!!

Today the World throws around the word LOVE — LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!  As Fr. Bill would say!

NO this kind of love is ready to die for JESUS CHRIST!

We see Jesus here lead right into that…

2- YOU Follow ME!

Jesus says to Peter when you are older people will drag you off where you don’t want to go!

This signifies the kind of death that He was to suffer —

No step back for a minute… Jesus says… Follow me and then YOU follow me!

Follow me really translates in Greek, to do what I do — and be on my coatails!  So if I die on the cross then you die on the cross!

So I ask you is anyone you know really following Jesus?

Then Jesus knew that Peter was losing his focus — he started to focus on the others and not what he was supposed to do —

the focus was on — all of a sudden — the beloved disciple!  The one Jesus loved!

I wonder if that bugged the boys that there was one Jesus favored?

Did they see it as part of the plan — did they see it make sense that John was the only one at the cross?

Why did Peter ask… “Lord what about Him?” Meaning John!

Jesus asks Peter a question… “What if I want him to remain until I come”

IE “None of your business — your business is to follow me!!!”

And even though they did not understand they started to spread the rumor that John was not going to die –

When Jesus says “What concern of it is yours?”it reminds me of the Wedding Feast of Cana where Jesus says to His Mother — what concern is it of mine?

This really meant …what would you have me do? — now here I think Jesus was trying to help them understand what they had to do — how they had to remain in His love -

– and how they had to focus in on the task at hand — as so many souls were attached to this work of redemption and it continues on today!

3- The World Could Not Contain!

You see they had no idea the souls that would be saved by their actions!  Even the denials were used to strengthen faith!

Every time we sing Faith of Our Fathers in Church I think of these great men and the women who gave their lives so that we would live on free in the Lord Jesus!

Here we see the final note that John testifies — HE is our example of faith — to be a true witness means that you are willing to die for the Gospel — and you will give testimony that He is alive!

Just as I have written before — testimony was everything back then — for something to be true there had to be someone who would testify to it as true —

so here we see John — testifying –

and also saying that

“There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written”

This is where we as Catholics truly can say that we cannot believe that Divine Revelation is the Bible Alone!

NO we believe that many of these “other things“ have been handed down in the deposit of faith orally and also in the Early Church Father’s writings etc..

So when our separated brothers and sisters discuss the only authority being the bible — who interprets it?  There are so many ways to interpret the bible -

- that the authority must be Jesus Christ through His Vicar on earth the Pope and this authority passed down to the bishops in communion with Him!

Praise God this is such good news — we have a faith that we can believe in and totally submit our intellect to — when we make an act of faith!

John does in fact die… but not on the cross — like the others — he was exiled to the island of Patmos at an old age I believe —

DIVINE REVELATION is a PERSON — JESUS —- it ends with the death of the last apostle which would be John —

SO from the book of Revelation — the last book — there is no new Revelation of who Jesus is or what you need for salvation!

It is all in here and in all of Divine Revelation which includes Sacred Tradition!

I look forward to continuing our Journey —- This has been a true pleasure and a transformation!

Do you find the Mass is coming alive for you?  Can you hear the words better?

The Gospels at daily Mass have all been from John these past few weeks!

I would like to continue — so for the next three days I will post the last three chapters of JOHN –

Friday 19 — Saturday 20 – Sunday 21

And then we will begin Acts of the Apostles and move through the New Testament!

We have been through so much with these apostles — I can’t wait to see how they work with the faith and grace they have received by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT– and to watch the church grow –

I truly believe that the Lord will continue to bless this study!  And now the Holy Spirit especially!

So we will hike up the mountain with the Acts of the Apostles — I will post what we will study for the day — and we will get another rhythm going — I believe this is what the Lord wants so we will follow through –

Get fired up because we begin Acts of the Apostles tomorrow Monday!  I will try to let you know ahead of time what the week will look like because we mostlikely will not be going through a chapter per day —

I’ve decided that a great way to support my work here is to make a purchase online!  So please if you are a part of this blog and you are able — please make a purchase of the book and cds — and if not for yourself then maybe for a friend or co worker or at your parish!

A great way to support my work is to spread the word about my book and also if you are in a position to arrange for me to speak at a group or parish — it doesn’t matter where you live or how big or small!  I am going where the Lord leads!

I thank you all for being here and for sharing from your hearts!

God bless you and I look forward to continuing the journey with Jesus with you all!

Continue reading »]]> Day 97, John 20

Good Day everyone!

Today is the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker!!!! What a special day in the Holy Catholic Church!

Do you know people who need employment — then make sure to pray to St. Joseph to them today!

Today we are reviewing chapter 20!

 I see three uplifting points today:

1. Why are You Weeping?
2. Receive the Holy Spirit
3. Don’t be Unbelieving

1- Why are You Weeping?

I love this because Mary gets there first and then immediately goes and gets the boys!  Smart lady… I wonder how far she had to go?

Seems like they were not far away!  They come running and then I love the way John lets Peter go first into the tomb — so we see here right away that there is a submission to Peter the Rock and head of the Church!

Then they leave!  We read that they believed but did not understand the scripture that He had to rise from the dead!

BUT MARY… stayed outside — when they returned home! 

I love it — they are quick to come and quick to go home — all business!

Mary hangs out — on the OUTSIDE of the tomb and weeps!

Then… as she wept… she bent over into the tomb…

How many times have we looked at our situation or our friends and seen an empty tomb –

Well looking from outside — things might look dead –but on the inside there is a different story going on!!!

Once looking inside she saw two angels in white sitting there — one at the head of Jesus and one at the feet!

Mary is asked two times like this… “WOMAN why are you weeping?”

First by the angels… then after she says because she doesn’t know where they put JESUS –

a Second time by JESUS Himself!… “WOMAN why are you weeping?”

And then He says whom are you looking for?

Now to many it would seem odd that after all that time she doesn’t recognize Jesus face to face!

There are many good explanations to why — Jesus was in His resurrected body –

but I would like to look at what happens to us on a regular basis… when we suffer or are consumed with sorrow -

- do we often times get caught up in what we are going through and we don’t recognize JESUS?

Think about it!  Because grief can cripple you and depression can paralyze you!  And you cannot hear or see — unless you are keeping your focus on Jesus!

He asks Why are you weeping!  WOMAN — because now this is the new creation!  And she after Mary is the daughter of the New Eve –

But if Jesus has risen there is no reason for any of us to be weeping for anything!  Our Joy should be complete!

Then once she HEARS HIS VOICE she then wants to hold on to JESUS! 

When He says her name She knows and recognizes Him!

Can’t you just picture the scene — I’d be holding on to Him too!

But Jesus tells her to GO — tell the disciples — Like they are going to believe a WOMAN???

Mary obediently goes as He told her that He has not ascended to the Father yet — and so she cannot hold on — everyone must be moving to where they are to be — places everyone — the big blessing is coming! 

I’m sure by now they have forgotten all about Chapters 14-17 according to John — that’s right it wasn’t written down yet — so it was all in their hearts — or we’d like to think!

The Holy Spirit is coming — here is a preview…

2- Receive the Holy Spirit

Well whether they believed Mary or not… on the evening of that first day of the week — so on Sunday — the disciples were behind locked doors for fear of the Jews –

I love the image of the locked doors and the fear in them behind the doors!

So Jesus comes and stands in their midst — so how did He do that?  He just appeared!

Right through the locked doors — the same way He has been able to get in to our closed hearts and minds many times… Alleluia!  Thanks be to God!

Jesus says “Peace be With You” and then shows them his wounds — His hands and His side!

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord and what a reunion that must have been!

Jesus meets them in their fear — that is usually when we are closed up!!!  Makes sense — the sorrow at the tomb and the fear behind the locked doors are good examples of where we might be when Jesus comes in our midst — as long as we are His — and they all were His followers!

Jesus says these important words — “As the Father has sent me so I send you”

And then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”

-whose sins you forgive are forgiven them and whose sins you retained are retained”

THIS IS HUGE — so first — Jesus has them receive the Holy Spirit even before Pentecost!!! 

For a purpose!  You see Jesus cannot send them without the Holy Spirit — and the purpose is to evangelize and baptize and call to repentance — that will require the Sacrament of Confession!

Jesus institutes this sacrament right there!

But they have to receive the Holy Spirit in order to be able to do as Jesus says!

And they will have to believe to receive… amazing that Thomas just happened to be missing that day!

 3- Don’t be Unbelieving

If we have learned anything in this 94 day Gospel marathon it is that we Must Believe and Trust and that we cannot receive if we are unbelieving and doubtful!

I think the biggest way that we get in the way… is that we over think things and we are a skeptical and critical people!

WE don’t want to believe — we don’t allow ourselves to believe — we want to have everything explained, make sense and be proven before we believe so that we can be so sure!!!

This is such a block to allowing the miracles of God release power into our lives!

I’m not talking about being totally stupid and doing anything harmful — but please — there are people who have to over analyze things 100 times before believing Jesus and His word and His church!

Or things happen and we do not give God the glory because we have other reasons why something occurred! 

And so here we see Thomas — so it was a set up — Thomas is not there — they tell him what happened — that they have seen the Lord and what does Thomas say…

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into His side, I will not believe!”

Now maybe Thomas was protecting himself from false prophets === but here are the brother disciples — already leaders in the church and the first priests -

- and they are giving him their testimony — as we give ours to each other —

and Thomas still would not believe unless he saw —

now amazingly it was one week late — so also on Sunday — the Lord’s day and what do you think they were doing when behind the locked doors Jesus appears and says “Peace be with you”

THE HOLY MASS — How about that?

Jesus appears in the same way — I know for myself in Mass — the words “Peace be with you” when the Priest speaks those words will never be the same to me!!!

And so this time Jesus appears and Thomas sees Him and Jesus says to him…

“Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side…”

Our Lord knows every thought we have — and every word we speak — HE HEARS and KNOWS — think about that for awhile!!!

I’d be dying if Jesus showed up and said that… but how gracious is our God…

then He tells Thomas… point blank…

“DO NOT BE UNBELIEVING, BUT BELIEVE”

These are Jesus words to Thomas but they apply to you and I — on a regular basis!

Jesus goes out of His way to help us to believe and He is so patient — He has worked miracles even today and He heals and works in our lives to build up our belief!

He has appeared to people even now and even has sent His Mother who is appearing around the world…

But we can also believe without seeing Jesus –

and we see here that Jesus says –”Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Thomas says, “My Lord and My God” upon seeing Jesus — and His wounds –

A beautiful practice is to say in your heart when at Mass The Host is lifted up and consecrated and transubstantiated into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ!

Blessed are we who have believed and have followed Jesus to this point!

I pray that you have grown in belief and that you will always call Jesus your Lord and your God!

Let’s share this day — as we spend the time today — remember this is the final hours of John!

What a blessing!  Please share!

Continue reading »]]> Day 96, John 19

Good Day Everyone!

Let us review the last three chapters as we prepare for Sunday!

Today is a good day to offer up suffering and unite with Jesus. St. Catherine of Siena says in her dialouges that suffering is useless unless it is united with JESUS!!!  We should all read this chapter ever Friday!!!  Chapter 19 is all about the painful torture treatment that Jesus went through and death for our sins!

I see three chilling points here:

1- Caught in the Middle

2- Behold Your King!

3- Blood and Water

1. Caught in the Middle

Right from the beginning do you see Pilate stuck in the middle!  He knows Jesus is not guilty but yet he is worried for his own life… doesn’t want to cause problems for himself and his people.

Isn’t this whole beginning of this chapter just like our walk sometimes… there we are with the crucified Jesus beside us -

- the crowd is condemning Him… those who should know better quite often — even in the Church — and we go back and forth — trying to get out of it reasoning with the crowd instead of just saying no!

Think about the times that people want to bend and twist the interpretation of the ten commandments — or rationalize why they should not be hung up at all in our country’s public places!

In our own church on a daily basis I’m asked if I believe we should follow this or that teaching –

My mother had this happen to her recently where my two women — away from their Catholic faith and angry with the church — not realizing that if you are angry with the Church you are angry with JESUS’ Body — so really at God — which they are…

anyway… my mother just decided she was not going to debate and she said

“I believe 100% what the Catholic Church teaches because I am 100% Catholic!”

They got so mad that they said — “Let’s not talk to her because she only has ONE WAY of thinking and there is no reasoning with her!”

PRAISE THE LORD!  One way!  Exactly THE WAY! 

You see people will want to debate and shoot holes in what you believe — what purpose does that serve?

We are not called to be rude — because LOVE is NEVER RUDE — but we are called to stick to the truth — and what the Pharisees are doing is twisting the truth so that it works in their favor!

And this is what is still going on today — people want to twist the truth so that it suits their lifestyle and they want you to go along with it so that they get the outcome they want —

The Pharisees wanted Jesus dead and they would say anything to get Pilate to do the deed — they knew they could not physically kill Him but they would use all their power to persuade Pilate to do it –

Have you ever been angry with someone — or did anyone ever hurt you and you don’t want to gossip about them — so you hold on to it -

- you feel a little alone in it — but you know you can’t sin by telling others about the injustice this person did to you —

then you run into someone another day and they start to trash talk the other person you are upset with — and WOW — how great!!! 

Someone else feels the same way!  You can sit back and just listen and feel good about the fact that you are not the one doing the talking and trashing… they are!!!

You are not guilty right? WRONG! 

The same way the Pharisees are not going to be guilty because Pilate is doing the crucifying right? WRONG!

And by the way not the Pharisees but you and me and every sin that we have committed and will ever commit!

Many people don’t want to look at that either!

So we see that because Pilate did not know truth, he was not strong enough to do the just thing — he thought he was doing the right thing — but right for who?

And that is the question we face all the time — who are we pleasing and who are we really serving?

There are only two choices… we either serve the good or evil!

God or the enemy of God!

And so when we have things like this happen — we have to look beyond people being happy with us — we can’t be people pleasers in the army of God –

We have to know we are at war and many of our brothers and sisters don’t realize that they are in sin and in the enemies camp — we don’t get them out by joining them there!!!

We have to testify to believing in TRUTH — IN JESUS and His ways!  For He is the King of Eternal Life… the Kingdom of Heaven!

1. Behold Your King!

So we see Pilate trying everything he could think of to avoid crucifying Jesus — we see some very prophetic words coming from Pilate’s mouth!

First after he has Jesus scourged and the soldiers have him in a crown of thorns and with the purple cloak, Pilate says,

“BEHOLD THE MAN”

Well “The Man” represents the NEW ADAM!!!  We don’t see anywhere else in the Gospel where Jesus is referred to in this way!

Pilate then becomes afraid of the crowd and what the Pharisees are saying to him… that he must crucify Jesus –

Pilate wants some answers from JESUS and frustrated tells Him that he has power over Jesus!

Of course Jesus lets him know that not only does he only have power because it was granted him and that the ones who handed Jesus over to them has the greater sin —

So Jesus was meeting Him where he was!!!  It is all so incredible to me that JESUS with all he was suffering didn’t have a melt down!

Jesus didn’t lose His focus — He knew every one’s part and how they were to play it!

It was like a well written script for a show that must go on!

When make a big deal about being a friend of Caesar — that basically pushed Pilate over the edge  and he is afraid — fear takes over and we see him say…

“BEHOLD YOUR KING!”

so interesting what comes out of Pilate’s mouth!  This kills the Jews — and they say something that every time I hear it I think of how God must feel…

“Take Him away take Him away…crucify Him”….

and here it is…

“We have no king but Caesar”

Can you imagine what God is thinking right now —  I mean God the Father — talk about hurt!

OK so this is what I always think about — imagine after all that He brought them through…

God was always their invisible God — that is what made them different — the chosen people!

Then they started to ask for a Visible God a representative of God — and they wanted a KING —

God wanted to be their King and begged them not to ask for a KING — a human king because God knew that a human king would be abusive etc… if not a good one –

Anyway… God really wanted to be their King! 

But he honored their request and He had human beings anointed to be king and then prophets assigned to them to hear God’s voice but the king was really leading God’s people!

AT this point king Herod was a disaster — not even mentioned here as in the other Gospel accounts… but to see the Jews say “We have no King but Caesar!”

That is just like… your son or daughter disowning you — saying that they have no mother or father — that would cut like a knife!

And Caesar wasn’t even Jewish right?  SO this was worse than no king — it was adultery!!!!

Good ole Jerusalem — as Jesus said — “How I wish to gather you like a mother gathers her young”

BUT NO!!!!

This is the worst torture ever — to hear the chosen people who He delivered out of Egypt and provided for in the desert… and those He worked all the miracles and wondrous signs for —

disowning Him!

All part of the plan but still had to hurt!

Even more than that lance that pierced Our Lord’s side!

1. Blood and Water

Before Jesus is pierced we see one more BEHOLD… well maybe two!

First we see one more reference to KING by Pilate — he has the sign say Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews in Latin, Hebrew, and Greek.

Then when Jesus is on the cross… we read that He saw His mother standing there… and the disciple whom He loved … He said…

“Woman behold your son”  and to the disciple…

“Behold your mother”

And you see this WOMAN — we only see Jesus call His mother Woman when refering to her being the NEW EVE — the mother of all the Living!

And we see this title at the Wedding feast at Cana — where our Lady’s YES started the whole thing and now she is still saying YES in the midst of all her anguish and pain!

 Here she was given to us as Mother — to all we sinners who killed her son!  How can this be — only by DIVINE MERCY!

This was the last thing and now we read that Jesus was aware that everything was not finished…

OK so NOW — NOW it is OK for JESUS TO DRINK THE WINE!!!!

IF you have been following our agony in the garden chapters — not one exists here in JOHN — funny –

but you should remember that Jesus said that He didn’t want to drink the cup of suffering until it was ready — not until I drink it with you in the kingdom —

Jesus is going to be in the kingdom that day — as he says to the thief — (not in this chapter) but that he was going to be there with that thief — the good thief!

NOW SINCE IT IS FINISHED HE IS READY TO DRINK THE CUP and Jesus says,

I THIRST!

They gave Him some common wine and put it in a vessel

“When Jesus had taken the wine,  He said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit”

This is the great hour of Mercy — when the lance then is shot into His side and immediately blood and water flowed out!

We see right away that an eye witness has to testify this and we see about this testimony as being truth!

Testimonies were so important — it was how everything was judged!

This truth was a testimony so that YOU WOULD BELIEVE — we read!

And this blood and water flowing and no bones broken was part of a prophecy!

Everything was finished — all that Jesus had wanted to accomplish!

The blood and water flows to all who are in need of His Mercy — and we continue to receive this Mercy in the Eucharist and in Confession –

This is to many the birthing of the Church — for out of the side of Jesus — the NEW ADAM comes the NEW LIFE — the CHURCH — the BRIDE –

The same way that WOMAN came out of the SIDE of ADAM –

and this whole thing takes place right after Mary is made OUR MOTHER!  The Mother of all the living!  This is not good or what!

I love the image in the Passion of the Christ Movie when the soldiers take the lance to Jesus and then the soldier falls to his knees when the blood flowed — and then even Mary and John got in on it!!!

I just went to a talk last night about St. Catherine of Siena and we heard that one of her miracles was a woman who was healed with a side wound — we talked about the side of Christ and that all men and women in the church were born out of His side wound!  Pretty cool!

God bless you and please share!

Continue reading »]]> Day 95, John 21

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO we’ve crossed the finish line!!!

and Many CONGRATS!!!  It is finished!  Our Gospel Marathon that we began on January 25!!!  Praise God for His Mercy and Goodness to us!

So many of us have grown closer to Jesus and transformed as we’ve learned more about Our Lord and ourselves!  We have grown into a community of Christians who live all over the world — and are united in the Lord through HIS WORD!

And what a great way to finish but to complete this beautiful journey on St. Catherine of Siena’s memorial day!!!!!

My book “Faith on Fire” is dedicated with her quote…

“When we are whom we are called to be ,we will set the world ablaze”

I truly believe that with a faith on fire we truly can be the lights so needed in this dark world — the lights of Christ that is!  For we do nothing on our own!

For more info on St. Catherine of Siena — Doctor of the Church go to http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=9

You will see that St. Catherine is the patron saint of fire protection —- I believe she protects the fire in all of us!!!  Praise the Lord!  Let us pray to her in a special way!!  She is all about being fired up!

If you are in the Philadelphia area there is a great talk tonight about Saint Catherine of Siena at 7pm at Nativity of Our Lord parish in Warminster PA — Dr. Carmina Chapp who is the academic dean of the Religious Studies Division at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will be the speaker!

Calll 215-675-1925 to register so they can plan for seating and for more info!!!  Hope to see you there!

Today I see three final points:

1. Do You Love Me?
2. You Follow Me
3. The World Could Not Contain

1- Do You Love Me?

We see right away that Jesus appears to the apostles and they do not recognize Him even after He told them to cast the nets on right side to make a catch — it was John who told Peter …

 ”It is the Lord”

And immediately we see Peter in his usual dramatic style jumping off the boat and into the water to hurry to Jesus!

They caught 153 fish — it is said that this number represented all the different species of fish that existed and also the number of nations in the world at the time…. very interesting — a number like this cannot pass by without meaning — we know that!

Jesus ate with them and gave them the bread and fish to eat — this was the third time Jesus had appeared to the apostles!

 And on this third time it is no coincidence that Jesus spoke to Peter after breakfast …

Jesus asks Peter three times… “DO you Love Me?”

It is said that the three times was one for each of the three denials Peter had made…

Here was Jesus response each time…

Feed My Lambs

Tend My Sheep

Feed My Sheep

Feed my sheep means the little ones — the ones immature in their faith — just staring to grow –

Tend My Sheep — we are taught means Governing — so this is another place where we see Peter being given the authority to govern and lead the sheep!

Feed My Sheep — means the mature ones — Feed them!

How?

With the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist — and with the Scriptures His Word!!!

Peter says “Lord you know that I love you!” but honestly Jesus is thinking — show me!

Peter cracks me up because given what just took place — how could He blame Jesus for wanting to make sure — do you blame Him for checking Peter out?

He asks each time for each of the denials — now this is not the kind of love we tend to throw around — Love you!!!

Today the World throws around the word LOVE — LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!  As Fr. Bill would say!

NO this kind of love is ready to die for JESUS CHRIST!

We see Jesus here lead right into that…

2- YOU Follow ME!

Jesus says to Peter when you are older people will drag you off where you don’t want to go!

This signifies the kind of death that He was to suffer —

No step back for a minute… Jesus says… Follow me and then YOU follow me!

Follow me really translates in Greek, to do what I do — and be on my coatails!  So if I die on the cross then you die on the cross!

So I ask you is anyone you know really following Jesus? 

Then Jesus knew that Peter was losing his focus — he started to focus on the others and not what he was supposed to do —

the focus was on — all of a sudden — the beloved disciple!  The one Jesus loved! 

I wonder if that bugged the boys that there was one Jesus favored?

Did they see it as part of the plan — did they see it make sense that John was the only one at the cross?

Why did Peter ask… “Lord what about Him?”  Meaning John!

Jesus asks Peter a question… “What if I want him to remain until I come”

IE “None of your business — your business is to follow me!!!”

And even though they did not understand they started to spread the rumor that John was not going to die –

When Jesus says “What concern of it is yours?” it reminds me of the Wedding Feast of Cana where Jesus says to His Mother — what concern is it of mine?

This really meant …what would you have me do? — now here I think Jesus was trying to help them understand what they had to do — how they had to remain in His love -

– and how they had to focus in on the task at hand — as so many souls were attached to this work of redemption and it continues on today!

3- The World Could Not Contain!

You see they had no idea the souls that would be saved by their actions!  Even the denials were used to strengthen faith!

 Every time we sing Faith of Our Fathers in Church I think of these great men and the women who gave their lives so that we would live on free in the Lord Jesus!

Here we see the final note that John testifies — HE is our example of faith — to be a true witness means that you are willing to die for the Gospel — and you will give testimony that He is alive!

Just as I have written before — testimony was everything back then — for something to be true there had to be someone who would testify to it as true —

so here we see John — testifying –

and also saying that

“There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written”

This is where we as Catholics truly can say that we cannot believe that Divine Revelation is the Bible Alone!

NO we believe that many of these “other things“ have been handed down in the deposit of faith orally and also in the Early Church Father’s writings etc..

So when our separated brothers and sisters discuss the only authority being the bible — who interprets it?  There are so many ways to interpret the bible -

- that the authority must be Jesus Christ through His Vicar on earth the Pope and this authority passed down to the bishops in communion with Him!

Praise God this is such good news — we have a faith that we can believe in and totally submit our intellect to — when we make an act of faith!

John does in fact die… but not on the cross — like the others — he was exiled to the island of Patmos at an old age I believe —

DIVINE REVELATION is a PERSON — JESUS —- it ends with the death of the last apostle which would be John —

SO from the book of Revelation — the last book — there is no new Revelation of who Jesus is or what you need for salvation!

It is all in here and in all of Divine Revelation which includes Sacred Tradition!

I look forward to continuing our Journey —- This has been a true pleasure and a transformation!

Do you find the Mass is coming alive for you?  Can you hear the words better?

The Gospels at daily Mass have all been from John these past few weeks!

I would like to continue — so for the next three days I will post the last three chapters of JOHN –

Friday 19 — Saturday 20 – Sunday 21

And then we will begin Acts of the Apostles and move through the New Testament!

We have been through so much with these apostles — I can’t wait to see how they work with the faith and grace they have received by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT– and to watch the church grow –

I truly believe that the Lord will continue to bless this study!  And now the Holy Spirit especially!

So we will hike up the mountain with the Acts of the Apostles — I will post what we will study for the day — and we will get another rhythm going — I believe this is what the Lord wants so we will follow through –

I will provide some kind of vehicle to receive any donations that you feel prompted to give toward this work — I’ll keep you posted on this!

In the meantime the word is given in abundance and freely — so remember that I am blessed by the sharing and by transformational testimonies —–

If you wouldn’t mind — in honor of our third point on our last day of the Gospels — testimonies…

if you could please post — even if you have never posted — what you got out of this bible study — what you feel like you learned — and how you feel this has transformed you — through God’s grace!

That would be great!  I will share that I don’t think I really understood the Gospel as I do now –

I am a lector in my parish and I truly feel that when I proclaim the word — I have such a better understanding of what I am reading that it comes out differently!

I have been blessed by the contributions in the postings each day —I feel closer to Jesus and to the apostles than before!

What did you learn and how did you tranform?  Please share!

God bless you!

Continue reading »]]> Day 94, John 20

Good Day everyone!

Today is a very special day as we are winding down our Gospel Journey!!!

The Memorial of the most precious Saint!  St. Louis Mary de Monfort!

He is the King of Devotion to Mary — he actually wrote a book called “Devotion to Mary” and there is the most beautiful consecration to Mary that I believe is a 60 day devotion.  Absolutely powerful!

For more information on this great saint go to http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=458

 I see three uplifting points today:

1. Why are You Weeping?
2. Receive the Holy Spirit
3. Don’t be Unbelieving

1- Why are You Weeping?

I love this because Mary gets there first and then immediately goes and gets the boys!  Smart lady… I wonder how far she had to go?

Seems like they were not far away!  They come running and then I love the way John lets Peter go first into the tomb — so we see here right away that there is a submission to Peter the Rock and head of the Church!

Then they leave!  We read that they believed but did not understand the scripture that He had to rise from the dead!

BUT MARY… stayed outside — when they returned home! 

I love it — they are quick to come and quick to go home — all business!

Mary hangs out — on the OUTSIDE of the tomb and weeps!

Then… as she wept… she bent over into the tomb…

How many times have we looked at our situation or our friends and seen an empty tomb –

Well looking from outside — things might look dead –but on the inside there is a different story going on!!!

Once looking inside she saw two angels in white sitting there — one at the head of Jesus and one at the feet!

Mary is asked two times like this… “WOMAN why are you weeping?”

First by the angels… then after she says because she doesn’t know where they put JESUS –

a Second time by JESUS Himself!… “WOMAN why are you weeping?”

And then He says whom are you looking for?

Now to many it would seem odd that after all that time she doesn’t recognize Jesus face to face!

There are many good explanations to why — Jesus was in His resurrected body –

but I would like to look at what happens to us on a regular basis… when we suffer or are consumed with sorrow -

- do we often times get caught up in what we are going through and we don’t recognize JESUS?

Think about it!  Because grief can cripple you and depression can paralyze you!  And you cannot hear or see — unless you are keeping your focus on Jesus!

He asks Why are you weeping!  WOMAN — because now this is the new creation!  And she after Mary is the daughter of the New Eve –

But if Jesus has risen there is no reason for any of us to be weeping for anything!  Our Joy should be complete!

Then once she HEARS HIS VOICE she then wants to hold on to JESUS! 

When He says her name She knows and recognizes Him!

Can’t you just picture the scene — I’d be holding on to Him too!

But Jesus tells her to GO — tell the disciples — Like they are going to believe a WOMAN???

Mary obediently goes as He told her that He has not ascended to the Father yet — and so she cannot hold on — everyone must be moving to where they are to be — places everyone — the big blessing is coming! 

I’m sure by now they have forgotten all about Chapters 14-17 according to John — that’s right it wasn’t written down yet — so it was all in their hearts — or we’d like to think!

The Holy Spirit is coming — here is a preview…

2- Receive the Holy Spirit

Well whether they believed Mary or not… on the evening of that first day of the week — so on Sunday — the disciples were behind locked doors for fear of the Jews –

I love the image of the locked doors and the fear in them behind the doors!

So Jesus comes and stands in their midst — so how did He do that?  He just appeared!

Right through the locked doors — the same way He has been able to get in to our closed hearts and minds many times… Alleluia!  Thanks be to God!

Jesus says “Peace be With You” and then shows them his wounds — His hands and His side!

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord and what a reunion that must have been!

Jesus meets them in their fear — that is usually when we are closed up!!!  Makes sense — the sorrow at the tomb and the fear behind the locked doors are good examples of where we might be when Jesus comes in our midst — as long as we are His — and they all were His followers!

Jesus says these important words — “As the Father has sent me so I send you”

And then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”

-whose sins you forgive are forgiven them and whose sins you retained are retained”

THIS IS HUGE — so first — Jesus has them receive the Holy Spirit even before Pentecost!!! 

For a purpose!  You see Jesus cannot send them without the Holy Spirit — and the purpose is to evangelize and baptize and call to repentance — that will require the Sacrament of Confession!

Jesus institutes this sacrament right there!

But they have to receive the Holy Spirit in order to be able to do as Jesus says!

And they will have to believe to receive… amazing that Thomas just happened to be missing that day!

 3- Don’t be Unbelieving

If we have learned anything in this 94 day Gospel marathon it is that we Must Believe and Trust and that we cannot receive if we are unbelieving and doubtful!

I think the biggest way that we get in the way… is that we over think things and we are a skeptical and critical people!

WE don’t want to believe — we don’t allow ourselves to believe — we want to have everything explained, make sense and be proven before we believe so that we can be so sure!!!

This is such a block to allowing the miracles of God release power into our lives!

I’m not talking about being totally stupid and doing anything harmful — but please — there are people who have to over analyze things 100 times before believing Jesus and His word and His church!

Or things happen and we do not give God the glory because we have other reasons why something occurred! 

And so here we see Thomas — so it was a set up — Thomas is not there — they tell him what happened — that they have seen the Lord and what does Thomas say…

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into His side, I will not believe!”

Now maybe Thomas was protecting himself from false prophets === but here are the brother disciples — already leaders in the church and the first priests -

- and they are giving him their testimony — as we give ours to each other —

and Thomas still would not believe unless he saw —

now amazingly it was one week late — so also on Sunday — the Lord’s day and what do you think they were doing when behind the locked doors Jesus appears and says “Peace be with you”

THE HOLY MASS — How about that?

Jesus appears in the same way — I know for myself in Mass — the words “Peace be with you” when the Priest speaks those words will never be the same to me!!!

And so this time Jesus appears and Thomas sees Him and Jesus says to him…

“Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side…”

Our Lord knows every thought we have — and every word we speak — HE HEARS and KNOWS — think about that for awhile!!!

I’d be dying if Jesus showed up and said that… but how gracious is our God…

then He tells Thomas… point blank…

“DO NOT BE UNBELIEVING, BUT BELIEVE”

These are Jesus words to Thomas but they apply to you and I — on a regular basis!

Jesus goes out of His way to help us to believe and He is so patient — He has worked miracles even today and He heals and works in our lives to build up our belief!

He has appeared to people even now and even has sent His Mother who is appearing around the world…

But we can also believe without seeing Jesus –

and we see here that Jesus says –”Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Thomas says, “My Lord and My God” upon seeing Jesus — and His wounds –

A beautiful practice is to say in your heart when at Mass The Host is lifted up and consecrated and transubstantiated into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ!

Blessed are we who have believed and have followed Jesus to this point!

I pray that you have grown in belief and that you will always call Jesus your Lord and your God!

Let’s share this day — as we spend the time today — remember this is the final hours of John!

What a blessing!  Please share!

Continue reading »]]> Day 93, John 19

Good Day Everyone!

Today is a good day to offer up suffering and unite with Jesus.  Chapter 19 is all about the painful torture treatment that Jesus went through and death for our sins!

I see three chilling points here:

1- Caught in the Middle

2- Behold Your King!

3- Blood and Water

1. Caught in the Middle

Right from the beginning do you see Pilate stuck in the middle!  He knows Jesus is not guilty but yet he is worried for his own life… doesn’t want to cause problems for himself and his people.

Isn’t this whole beginning of this chapter just like our walk sometimes… there we are with the crucified Jesus beside us -

- the crowd is condemning Him… those who should know better quite often — even in the Church — and we go back and forth — trying to get out of it reasoning with the crowd instead of just saying no!

Think about the times that people want to bend and twist the interpretation of the ten commandments — or rationalize why they should not be hung up at all in our country’s public places!

In our own church on a daily basis I’m asked if I believe we should follow this or that teaching –

My mother had this happen to her recently where my two women — away from their Catholic faith and angry with the church — not realizing that if you are angry with the Church you are angry with JESUS’ Body — so really at God — which they are…

anyway… my mother just decided she was not going to debate and she said

“I believe 100% what the Catholic Church teaches because I am 100% Catholic!”

They got so mad that they said — “Let’s not talk to her because she only has ONE WAY of thinking and there is no reasoning with her!”

PRAISE THE LORD!  One way!  Exactly THE WAY! 

You see people will want to debate and shoot holes in what you believe — what purpose does that serve?

We are not called to be rude — because LOVE is NEVER RUDE — but we are called to stick to the truth — and what the Pharisees are doing is twisting the truth so that it works in their favor!

And this is what is still going on today — people want to twist the truth so that it suits their lifestyle and they want you to go along with it so that they get the outcome they want —

The Pharisees wanted Jesus dead and they would say anything to get Pilate to do the deed — they knew they could not physically kill Him but they would use all their power to persuade Pilate to do it –

Have you ever been angry with someone — or did anyone ever hurt you and you don’t want to gossip about them — so you hold on to it -

- you feel a little alone in it — but you know you can’t sin by telling others about the injustice this person did to you —

then you run into someone another day and they start to trash talk the other person you are upset with — and WOW — how great!!! 

Someone else feels the same way!  You can sit back and just listen and feel good about the fact that you are not the one doing the talking and trashing… they are!!!

You are not guilty right? WRONG! 

The same way the Pharisees are not going to be guilty because Pilate is doing the crucifying right? WRONG!

And by the way not the Pharisees but you and me and every sin that we have committed and will ever commit!

Many people don’t want to look at that either!

So we see that because Pilate did not know truth, he was not strong enough to do the just thing — he thought he was doing the right thing — but right for who?

And that is the question we face all the time — who are we pleasing and who are we really serving?

There are only two choices… we either serve the good or evil!

God or the enemy of God!

And so when we have things like this happen — we have to look beyond people being happy with us — we can’t be people pleasers in the army of God –

We have to know we are at war and many of our brothers and sisters don’t realize that they are in sin and in the enemies camp — we don’t get them out by joining them there!!!

We have to testify to believing in TRUTH — IN JESUS and His ways!  For He is the King of Eternal Life… the Kingdom of Heaven!

1. Behold Your King!

So we see Pilate trying everything he could think of to avoid crucifying Jesus — we see some very prophetic words coming from Pilate’s mouth!

First after he has Jesus scourged and the soldiers have him in a crown of thorns and with the purple cloak, Pilate says,

“BEHOLD THE MAN”

Well “The Man” represents the NEW ADAM!!!  We don’t see anywhere else in the Gospel where Jesus is referred to in this way!

Pilate then becomes afraid of the crowd and what the Pharisees are saying to him… that he must crucify Jesus –

Pilate wants some answers from JESUS and frustrated tells Him that he has power over Jesus!

Of course Jesus lets him know that not only does he only have power because it was granted him and that the ones who handed Jesus over to them has the greater sin —

So Jesus was meeting Him where he was!!!  It is all so incredible to me that JESUS with all he was suffering didn’t have a melt down!

Jesus didn’t lose His focus — He knew every one’s part and how they were to play it!

It was like a well written script for a show that must go on!

When make a big deal about being a friend of Caesar — that basically pushed Pilate over the edge  and he is afraid — fear takes over and we see him say…

“BEHOLD YOUR KING!”

so interesting what comes out of Pilate’s mouth!  This kills the Jews — and they say something that every time I hear it I think of how God must feel…

“Take Him away take Him away…crucify Him”….

and here it is…

“We have no king but Caesar”

Can you imagine what God is thinking right now —  I mean God the Father — talk about hurt!

OK so this is what I always think about — imagine after all that He brought them through…

God was always their invisible God — that is what made them different — the chosen people!

Then they started to ask for a Visible God a representative of God — and they wanted a KING —

God wanted to be their King and begged them not to ask for a KING — a human king because God knew that a human king would be abusive etc… if not a good one –

Anyway… God really wanted to be their King! 

But he honored their request and He had human beings anointed to be king and then prophets assigned to them to hear God’s voice but the king was really leading God’s people!

AT this point king Herod was a disaster — not even mentioned here as in the other Gospel accounts… but to see the Jews say “We have no King but Caesar!”

That is just like… your son or daughter disowning you — saying that they have no mother or father — that would cut like a knife!

And Caesar wasn’t even Jewish right?  SO this was worse than no king — it was adultery!!!!

Good ole Jerusalem — as Jesus said — “How I wish to gather you like a mother gathers her young”

BUT NO!!!!

This is the worst torture ever — to hear the chosen people who He delivered out of Egypt and provided for in the desert… and those He worked all the miracles and wondrous signs for —

disowning Him!

All part of the plan but still had to hurt!

Even more than that lance that pierced Our Lord’s side!

1. Blood and Water

Before Jesus is pierced we see one more BEHOLD… well maybe two!

First we see one more reference to KING by Pilate — he has the sign say Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews in Latin, Hebrew, and Greek.

Then when Jesus is on the cross… we read that He saw His mother standing there… and the disciple whom He loved … He said…

“Woman behold your son”  and to the disciple…

“Behold your mother”

And you see this WOMAN — we only see Jesus call His mother Woman when refering to her being the NEW EVE — the mother of all the Living!

And we see this title at the Wedding feast at Cana — where our Lady’s YES started the whole thing and now she is still saying YES in the midst of all her anguish and pain!

 Here she was given to us as Mother — to all we sinners who killed her son!  How can this be — only by DIVINE MERCY!

This was the last thing and now we read that Jesus was aware that everything was not finished…

OK so NOW — NOW it is OK for JESUS TO DRINK THE WINE!!!!

IF you have been following our agony in the garden chapters — not one exists here in JOHN — funny –

but you should remember that Jesus said that He didn’t want to drink the cup of suffering until it was ready — not until I drink it with you in the kingdom —

Jesus is going to be in the kingdom that day — as he says to the thief — (not in this chapter) but that he was going to be there with that thief — the good thief!

NOW SINCE IT IS FINISHED HE IS READY TO DRINK THE CUP and Jesus says,

I THIRST!

They gave Him some common wine and put it in a vessel

“When Jesus had taken the wine,  He said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit”

This is the great hour of Mercy — when the lance then is shot into His side and immediately blood and water flowed out!

We see right away that an eye witness has to testify this and we see about this testimony as being truth!

Testimonies were so important — it was how everything was judged!

This truth was a testimony so that YOU WOULD BELIEVE — we read!

And this blood and water flowing and no bones broken was part of a prophecy!

Everything was finished — all that Jesus had wanted to accomplish!

The blood and water flows to all who are in need of His Mercy — and we continue to receive this Mercy in the Eucharist and in Confession –

This is to many the birthing of the Church — for out of the side of Jesus — the NEW ADAM comes the NEW LIFE — the CHURCH — the BRIDE –

The same way that WOMAN came out of the SIDE of ADAM –

and this whole thing takes place right after Mary is made OUR MOTHER!  The Mother of all the living!  This is not good or what!

I love the image in the Passion of the Christ Movie when the soldiers take the lance to Jesus and then the soldier falls to his knees when the blood flowed — and then even Mary and John got in on it!!!

WE just experienced this flowing of blood and water on Divine Mercy Sunday!

This is such amazing stuff — please share if you feel up to it!!!

God bless you please share!

Continue reading »]]> Day 92, John 18

Good Day Everyone!

We see here today that the prayer from Chapter 17 was the last time Jesus spoke in their presence!  We read…

“when He had said this, Jesus went out with His disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden”

Across the Kidron Valley… this has great significance — this is the area between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane –

It is an important valley — it is where Kind David crossed over to escape his wicked son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:23-30) and where King Asa burned the pagan idols and asherah poles (1Kings 15:13) and where the evil Athaliah was executed… It became a major cemetery as far back as King Josiah. (2Kings 23:6)

Jesus also crossed over this valley to get to Bethany to visit Lazarus and raise Him from the dead — Jesus also passes through this valley to make His entry to Jerusalem on a donkey ==

I walked this path through the valley when I was in Jerusalem — it has become a huge cemetery all around –

- also because there is prophecy that makes this valley a major location in “end times” so people wanted to be buried there for when He returns!

I view it as the valley of darkness — and here Jesus walks through the valley of darkness to get to the garden where he is right away sought after by Judas His betrayer and the band of soldiers and guards that he got from the chief priests and the Pharisees who went after him there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Jesus knew everything was going to happen — so that answers that for people who still wonder if Jesus knew???

I see three arresting points in this chapter:

1. I AM
2. Denial by Fire
3. What is Truth?

1- I AM

What is amazing about John’s Gospel account of the arrest is a different scene when it comes to the soldiers and the capture of Jesus –

We see Judas as more in charge — that he gets the band of soldiers and goes to where he knows Jesus will be because Jesus had been there before!

We don’t see Judas betray our Lord with a kiss — we don’t see anyone wondering which one is Jesus and requiring a sign –

And we see Jesus asking them… “Whom are you looking for?” they answer Him “Jesus the Nazorean”

When Jesus says “I AM”

we see them all turn away and fall to the ground… OH MY GOODNESS!

There was power in those words… I AM

This was God’s name for Himself in Moses’ day and they all knew this…

it was at these words I AM that then all turned and fell because no one in those days could look on God and live!

No one would ever dare say those words!!!

Jesus wants them to let go of all the disciples and not to hold them hostage since they are looking for HIM!

This, John writes was to fulfill the words of Jesus “I have not lost any of those you gave me”

We see Jesus respond to Peter with the sword with these words…

“Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”

And so here we see again Peter trying to get in the way of the Father’s will for the Son which including this injustice, this humiliation, this suffering… the cup of suffering –

Jesus had prayed — he knew — he was ready — what an example for us –

I wonder if we prayed enough could we go through sufferings and injustice thinking of all those souls that Jesus doesn’t want to lose — we heard this in the Gospel from Sunday…

the Good shepherd not wanting to lose any of the sheep — this was so important to Jesus –

and He says over and over — “the Father and I are ONE”  therefore Jesus responds to the question of who He is… Jesus the Nazorean?

I AM 

2- Denial by Fire

And so we also see here Peter go from defending the Lord with a sword — to denial by the fire???

OK so we see Him with Jesus strong and valiant — yet totally off from Jesus’ approach — Peter using the worldly approach –

fighting the world with wordly tactics — hmmmm — don’t we do that too?  We get into arguments and give back to world what it hands us at times –

Our approach must be just like Jesus’ — prayer and speaking truth at the appointed times –

I am learning alot from Jesus — He uses little words — He prays a lot — He asks a lot of questions and He takes suffering as part of God’s will — yet He is strong and a warrior — engaged in spiritual warfare!  He is focused in!

When I was studying “network marketing” we learned from one of the most successful men…

Have a Dream, Form a Team, Focus IN!

This is what Jesus did — His dream… to do the will of the Father — not really a dream but a reality and a Mission – the mission of redemption!

Team — apostles — and He focused IN on going for the CUP!!! 

Right after Peter is rebuked by Jesus and is taken away — we see what I had never noticed before that there was a disciple who knew Caiaphas the High priest and who followed Jesus with PETER –

So Peter did start by Following JESUS — He could not get into the courtyard until this other disciple  when out to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in…

So Peter  had to stand outside the gate!

And so I read into this truth and see the image or analogy of all believers and or non believers — who follow Jesus and then find themselves outside of the gate —

when the gatekeeper lets them in… now it is time to be tested — isn’t it?

Who is the gatekeeper?  JESUS

OK so Peter gets his chance to be close to the suffering Jesus — as we all get this chance at different times…

and it is very cold there… they are all warming themselves by a FIRE — THE FIRE —

Peter is warming himself too — and when asked the three times if he was the man with Jesus — he says, 

 ”I am not”

Peter rather warm himself with the fire than risk losing it’s warmth and suffering with Jesus –

very human — the human condition of comfort vs suffering — remember Marion’s note on Satan’s commandment “THOU shall not suffer”

 What is amazing in John’s account is that after this denial — Jesus gets physically struck in the face!!!

I see here the correlation between our denying Jesus — or our sin — and Jesus suffering — this is the first place we see the physical pain of Jesus –

Then Peter denies Jesus two more times…  AND LOOK –

Peter answers with the total opposite of JESUS — I AM

and Peter says… I AM NOT!!!

Amazing isn’t it!!!

So what is the truth?  Is he or isn’t he… the one?

3- What is Truth?

 What is truth is such a good question!  Pilate would really be confused today — our children are confused today — so are our adults –

WE know truth is a person — JESUS –

We see here this discussion is all over the kingship of the JEWS — they want to kill Jesus over this and Pilate does not find Him guilty!

So Pilate calls Jesus back to ask Him some questions..

“Are you the King of the Jews?”

Even at this time — Jesus is all about saving souls — getting to the truth in the heart –

Jesus wants to know… does Pilate say this on his own or because the crowd is telling him that He is –

Then Jesus talks about His kingdom — YES He is a king!!!  This is why He came into the world -

to testify to the truth!!!

This is so key here — to testify — Jesus was always testifying to the truth— revealing the Father to those the Father called!!!

There is power in this — and we are called to testify also to the TRUTH!

Don’t you read this and or watch the movies ie Passion of the Christ and want to just smack the truth into PILATE!!!

How do you think Claudia his wife felt?

Don’t you have people you know and love who don’t know TRUTH?

And then you try to explain it and you sound and feel like a huge IDIOTA! 

Well God blesses that effort — that testimony that you give — and there will be fruit for all those who are a fool for Christ!

One of my professors once said to me that when we feel like are words didn’t sound good that is a blessing because then it is not for our convincing words but the power of God that the person came into the light — but we must speak up!

So let it sound like a bad explanation — let it not make sense!!!  Praise the Lord!

AT my own dinner table last night — I had my kids and their friend — all teenagers — all raised in truth but know seeking it out themselves –

We were talking about how the Word of God is living and Active — and somehow we got to IT’S TRUTH — ie is Adam and Eve story true?  Is the story of JONAH in the WHALE TRUE –

And I realized that between their religion classes and Science classes there are some seeds of doubt and question — what is TRUTH in the word of God!

The answer … the whole BIBLE is called DIVINE REVELATION — revealing the Father –

it is also called JESUS — because DIVINE REVELATION is a person –

Even if a story in Scripture is not historically true — it is still TRUTH!

I know people teaching Catechism classes that teach that none of those stories are true!

That is not true!

Then we get to — well humans wrote it down — HOW is that JESUS?  So we must know that all Scripture is inspired by God by the Power of the HOLY SPIRIT!

A great document to read that came out of Vatican II is called DEI VERBUM!  The WORD OF GOD!

And you can find it on line by searching or go to Vatican website www.vatican.va

and please read it — it tells us that Catholics are most definitely encouraged to read the bible and that it is soooooo very important –

TRUTH comes to us by reading the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition which assists in interpretation…

all under the guidance of the Magisterium of the Church —

OK I think we gleaned some good nuggets here — please share!

If anyone knows for sure who that disciple was who new Caiaphas the High Priest please share with us — I am guessing Nicodemus or John???

God bless you all!

Continue reading »]]> Day 91, John 17

Happy 4th Sunday in Easter Everyone!

Today I wanted to draw more out of this Rich Gospel Chapter!

Yesterday in the Liturgy of the Hours Readings we see St. Cyril of Alexandria who gave a commentary on the gospel of John!!!  What a coincidence we are right on target!!!

He says that Jesus asks the Father to “Protect them”  meaning us; and then says,

“For their sake I consecrate myself”

St. Cyril says that by saying that he consecrates himself he means that he offers himself to God as a spotless and sweet – smelling sacrifice!

He goes on to say that,

 “According to the law, anything offered upon the altar was consecrated and considered holy. 

So Christ gave  his own body for the life of all, and makes it the channel through which life flows once more into us.”

Isn’t this beautiful!  Jesus says in Chapter 16 that that the Spirit of Truth is coming — and then we see here that He wants to consecrate us in the Truth!

Jesus is the Truth — and so the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus — revealing God the Father and so we are consecrated in Jesus by the power and by receiving His Spirit!

I see three intimate points here:

1. Eternal Life
2. One in the Name
3. Consecrate Us in Truth

1- Eternal Life

Jesus starts off His prayer asking to Glorify the Father the same way that the Father gave authority to the Son so that He may give Eternal Life to all whom the Father had given Him!

 Then we see Jesus define eternal life — for the Father — NO not for the Father — to the Father for OUR BENEFIT!

This is eternal life =

“That they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 

=== so you can see here what comes to mind the old Catechism question — why did God create me… TO KNOW HIM… then… to love Him and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him in the next!

continued..

I glorified you on earh by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do…

then

Now Glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.”

WOW there it is!!!  Before the world began Jesus was with the Father.  Our faith doesn’t just make things up –

– it is all found in Divine Revelation – the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition – written and oral handing down of truth!

 2- One in the Name

Jesus goes on to pray to the Father about “the Name” that He had given the Son!

 Now we see Jesus speaking to the Father about all those that the Father had given to Jesus – in a way He is promoting them – testifying to the fact that they believed all that He had revealed to them…

 Can you imagine how emotional this might have been — Here is Jesus speaking on behalf of the disciples – letting them truly see that God the Father had chosen them – that they truly belong to Him –

 Then Jesus says that He protected them in “YOUR Name that YOU gave me”

 And that He guarded them – and none of them were lost except one –  “the son of destruction” in order that the scripture might be fulfilled.

 WOW so they even spoke about Judas and how it had all been part of the fulfillment of the Word!

 Then Jesus asks the Father that as He is coming to Him to please keep them all in His name – that He has given to Jesus –

 So that they may be ONE – just as the Father and Son are ONE –

 WOW again!  So the NAME gives us protection – and makes us ONE in the Father and Son!

No wonder there is so much power in the NAME of JESUS — much more than we can even imagine!

 This was the Father’s name that He gave to the SON…. JESUS — Savior!

 So the Apostles hear about Eternal life, and the NAME…

3- Consecrate Us in Truth

 Now here is the third call — to Holiness!  Consecrate us in the TRUTH!

Jesus prays to the Father all about the world — and listen up my brothers and sisters!!

YOU DON”T THINK GOD KNOWS and JESUS knows what is happening in the world?

OF COURSE HE DOES!!  HE’s not on some tropical island or asleep while were are down here praying — sometimes I think we pray like God has no clue!!!  HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!

JESUS speaks to the Father in the world like this — so that Our JOY may be complete!

Since He knows that we don’t belong to the world but must live in the world and He wants our Joy to be complete He says to the Father…

in order that we be kept from the evil one…

“Consecrate them in the truth. YOUR Word is truth…

As You sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.

And I consecrate myself for them, 

So that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

 Isn’t that amazing that Jesus asks for us to be consecrated in HIM – truth itself!

And that He doesn’t ask for anything that He would not do!

 He is willing to consecrate Himself for us!

 What does consecrate mean?  Set a part – for a purpose!

 For us it is to be HOLY as the Father is Holy and the Son is too!

 To be apart from the world but still live in the world we have to be consecrated!

 So even thought we might not be a priest, a religious or deacon – or even a third order

Lay person…

 WE ARE ALL CALLED to be CONSECRATED!!!  IN TRUTH!  IN JESUS!

 This is how we conquer the world through Jesus Christ!

 Consecrate yourself each day in JESUS – and as well call on the Blessed Mother and consecrate your eyes your mind your ears your heart – your whole self!

We were told here by Jesus that He consecrated Himself for us and that He asks that the Father will consecrate us!  Good stuff and Good news!

 Let us share on this… and really take time with this blessed Chapter this Sunday – The Lord’s Day!

 God bless!

Continue reading »]]> Day 90, John 17

Good Day Everyone and CONGRATULTIONS on 90 DAYS WITH JESUS in THE GOSPEL!!!!!!!!!!

WOW what an amazing journey this has been thus far!  We are going to keep going to finish St. John’s Gospel account on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena one of my patron saints!!!!

If you have the book “Faith on Fire” you will see on the back cover her quote that I turned into the mantra and dedicated all this fired up Catholics work to living out St. Catherine’s words…

… which I am sure are in response to Jesus’ word in Luke 12:49

“I have come to set the world on fire and how I wish it was already blazing.”

St. Catherine said… “When we are whom we are called to be we will set the world ablaze”

My brothers and sisters we are truly called to be fully CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS and the sooner you and I live out this call daily and are truly on FIRE with the Holy Spirit – the world will catch on!

SO don’t let your hearts be troubled with what is going on in the world –we are to be in the world but not of the world — pray for the world but also pray that we will all have the faith on fire that is much needed in the world –

Every day wasted in worry does not help anyone — especially the world!  The world needs you ON FIRE in the HOLY SPIRIT!

So we will read and pray this Chapter 17 today and tomorrow Sunday because it is so important and then we will have chapter 18, 19, 20, 21 which will end on St. Catherine of Siena’s feast day!

I am so fired up with the way this is going and that God has blessed this work and I pray that all of your are being fed and nourished and transformed by this work we have all joined in on together!

So let’s get into Chapter 17!!!  This is my favorite number — and one that God uses to confirm and affirm me — so what a suprise that it is so important in all the Gospel accounts!

Take a minute with me to just think about the fact that this is the only chapter in the Gospel that is a full Prayer of Jesus to God the Father -

- and it is the only time in the Gospel that we see Jesus letting everyone in on His prayer to the Father — these are His last words that they hear him speak before Jesus is arrested by Judas and the soldiers… (in John’s Gospel account)

I MEAN THIS IS HUGE in Chapter 17!!!  Always remember this chapter — I want to print it out and hang it up and pray it –

This was prime time look into the relationship of God the Father and Son — this is better than all the reality shows on TV — the inside look into the last words in Prayer for all the Apostles to hear — I think every priest should read and pray this daily!!!   And the religious and laity too!

 That is why we will take this weekend and really meditate and contemplate this PRAYER!

I see three intimate points here:

1. Eternal Life
2. One in the Name
3. Consecrate Us in Truth

1- Eternal Life

Jesus starts off His prayer asking to Glorify the Father the same way that the Father gave authority to the Son so that He may give Eternal Life to all whom the Father had given Him!

 Then we see Jesus define eternal life — for the Father — NO not for the Father — to the Father for OUR BENEFIT!

This is eternal life =

“That they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 

=== so you can see here what comes to mind the old Catechism question — why did God create me… TO KNOW HIM… then… to love Him and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him in the next!

continued..

I glorified you on earh by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do…

then

Now Glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.”

WOW there it is!!!  Before the world began Jesus was with the Father.  Our faith doesn’t just make things up –

– it is all found in Divine Revelation – the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition – written and oral handing down of truth!

 2- One in the Name

Jesus goes on to pray to the Father about “the Name” that He had given the Son!

 Now we see Jesus speaking to the Father about all those that the Father had given to Jesus – in a way He is promoting them – testifying to the fact that they believed all that He had revealed to them…

 Can you imagine how emotional this might have been — Here is Jesus speaking on behalf of the disciples – letting them truly see that God the Father had chosen them – that they truly belong to Him –

 Then Jesus says that He protected them in “YOUR Name that YOU gave me”

 And that He guarded them – and none of them were lost except one –  “the son of destruction” in order that the scripture might be fulfilled.

 WOW so they even spoke about Judas and how it had all been part of the fulfillment of the Word!

 Then Jesus asks the Father that as He is coming to Him to please keep them all in His name – that He has given to Jesus –

 So that they may be ONE – just as the Father and Son are ONE –

 WOW again!  So the NAME gives us protection – and makes us ONE in the Father and Son!

No wonder there is so much power in the NAME of JESUS — much more than we can even imagine!

 This was the Father’s name that He gave to the SON…. JESUS — Savior!

 So the Apostles hear about Eternal life, and the NAME…

3- Consecrate Us in Truth

 Now here is the third call — to Holiness!  Consecrate us in the TRUTH!

Jesus prays to the Father all about the world — and listen up my brothers and sisters!!

YOU DON”T THINK GOD KNOWS and JESUS knows what is happening in the world?

OF COURSE HE DOES!!  HE’s not on some tropical island or asleep while were are down here praying — sometimes I think we pray like God has no clue!!!  HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!

JESUS speaks to the Father in the world like this — so that Our JOY may be complete!

Since He knows that we don’t belong to the world but must live in the world and He wants our Joy to be complete He says to the Father…

in order that we be kept from the evil one…

“Consecrate them in the truth. YOUR Word is truth…

As You sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.

And I consecrate myself for them, 

So that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

 Isn’t that amazing that Jesus asks for us to be consecrated in HIM – truth itself!

And that He doesn’t ask for anything that He would not do!

 He is willing to consecrate Himself for us!

 What does consecrate mean?  Set a part – for a purpose!

 For us it is to be HOLY as the Father is Holy and the Son is too!

 To be apart from the world but still live in the world we have to be consecrated!

 So even thought we might not be a priest, a religious or deacon – or even a third order

Lay person…

 WE ARE ALL CALLED to be CONSECRATED!!!  IN TRUTH!  IN JESUS!

 This is how we conquer the world through Jesus Christ!

 Consecrate yourself each day in JESUS – and as well call on the Blessed Mother and consecrate your eyes your mind your ears your heart – your whole self!

We were told here by Jesus that He consecrated Himself for us and that He asks that the Father will consecrate us!  Good stuff and Good news!

 Let us share on this… and really take time with this blessed Chapter this weekend!

 God bless!

Continue reading »]]> Day 89, John 16

Good Day Everyone!  Today we celebrate St. George!

St. George is always pictured on a horse and killing a dragon to rescue a beautiful lady!  The dragon stands for wickedness, the lady stands for God’s holy truth!  St. George was a brave martyr who was victorious over the devil!  Perfect saint for today and especially with our reading of John 16!  Jesus has overcome the world!

He was a soldier in the army of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and he was one of the Emperor’s favorite soldiers. Now Diocletian was a pagan and a bitter enemy to the Christians. He put to death every Christian he could find. George was a brave Christian, a real soldier of Christ. Without fear, he went to the Emperor and sternly scolded him for being so cruel. Then he gave up his position in the Roman army. For this he was tortured in many terrible ways and finally beheaded.

So boldly daring and so cheerful was St. George in declaring his Faith and in dying for it that Christians felt courage when they heard about it. Many songs and poems were written about this martyr. Soldiers, especially, have always been devoted to him.

We all have some “dragon” we have to conquer. It might be pride, or anger, or laziness, or greediness, or something else. Let us make sure we fight against these “dragons”, with God’s help. Then we can call ourselves real soldiers of Christ. .

(He is the patron saint of England and Catalonia so we should pray today for those countries!)

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=280

 I see three powerful points:

1. Better for You that I Go
2. What is this Little While?
3. Take Courage

1- Better for You that I Go

I want to go back to end of Chapter 15 for a minute… look at Jesus words…

“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.

And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

Please notice here that the words say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father — which is why we say this in the Nicean creed each Sunday —

The Holy Spirit testifies to the Son — and so do the apostles because they were there!  The apostolic faith!!!

Jesus tells them right away in Chapter 16 that He is telling them this so that they do not fall away!

Let me say that again…. SO THAT THEY DO NOT FALL AWAY!

Do you know anyone who has fallen away from the faith?

This word is for them too!!! 

How many fell away during the last scandal in the church — how about the current persecution of the POPE — people fall away when the church or they personally are threatened –

Jesus said that the HOUR is coming — the Hour means suffering — when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God –

Isn’t this crazy — how many times over and over have these words of our Savior come true!  He told this to us for a reason — so we would not fall away when it happens but be strengthened!

Jesus gets specific with them because he is going to the one who sent Him!  The Father! 

And Jesus can’t believe that NOT ONE of them asked Him WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

HE says this — and says that they have grief in their hearts!!!

I take from this that the emotion –the sadness — distracted them from asking the right questions!!!  Doesn’t that happen to us?

They were asking — How will we know the way? and Show us the Father!  but not Where are you going?

Jesus says, it is better for you that I go…

“For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.”

“But if I go, I will send Him to you”

And what will He DO???  Three things…

Jesus says that when HE COMES — OK so the Spirit is a HE — and a person!

He will CONVICT the world in regard to sin,

and righteousness,

and condemnation!

“Sin because they do not believe in me…

righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me,

condemnation because the ruler of this world has been condemned”

OH my goodness I just love this — especially the first part …

that the Holy Spirit will convict our hearts to know sin!

I love what the Holy Spirit will do when He comes and only if Jesus goes…

The Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth! He will not speak on His own but on what He hears…

and — how about this — he will declare to you the things that are coming!!!

OK so this is how there is prophecy and wisdom and knowledge!!!

Jesus says that He will glorify Jesus because the Spirit will take from what is Jesus’ and declare it to us!!!

OK so now this is awesome — the same way Jesus glorifies the Father by taking from what is God the Father’s and giving it to us!

This is true son- ship — we can only do that in JESUS by the Power of the HOLY SPIRIT!

This was painful — and hearts were troubled… but so much good was coming!

2- What is this Little While?

So then we see this over and over mention of the “LITTLE WHILE”  the same way that we see “THE HOUR”

This became the million dollar question — what is this little while — and there was some confusion on the second coming — that it was going to be in a little while — and we are still here waiting!!!

So what was Jesus talking about — He was referring to His resurrection!

I absolutely LOVE the analogy to the woman in labor who is in major pain but then after she has the baby can’t remember the pain but only the JOY of the gift of new life in the baby!

So this little while – is like the resurrection where Jesus is on the cross and then rises from dead in three days –

Can also be that little while that we suffer at death — to then see Jesus when we go to heaven!

Key here is no pain no gain — and this is good pain — even if we can’t see that in a human way – Jesus helps us along to see the analogy!

Your grief will become JOY — you will weep and mourn and then be glad — this sounds like the true happiness we hear about in the beatitudes!

 3- Take Courage

Jesus then says, “Amen, amen I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”

Jesus had said that He couldn’t tell them everything — that they could not bear it!

Now Jesus is speaking plainly to them — and they realize it!

He is telling them in plain words exactly what will happen and about the Father!

Jesus says “the Father Himself loves you, because you love Me and have come to believe that I came from God!”

OK so here we have it — finally that Jesus came from God — and it is clear — and because of this clarity the disciples echo Peter as ONE they say that

“Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God”

OK so shouldn’t Jesus be so happy — whooo hooo these guys finally got it!

Like My Fair Lady — By George They Got it!!  Oh and on St. George’s feast day!!!

It only took three years BOYS!  And what does JESUS say ?—

Same thing that He says to Peter — in a certain way…

“Do you believe now?  Behold,

the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone.

But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.

In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

So you see — we are never alone — Jesus knew they would all scatter — and that is what usually happens when we suffer –

many times people leave us because they can’t handle it — whatever the suffering — could even be a persecution as in Jesus case — where people don’t want to be associated with you!

But the key is to know that we are never alone — even if it looks that way!

And the Victory is already won — so take courage —

means TAKE your fears and face them HEAD ON — Courage is facing your fears and moving forward —

We do this by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT!!

The battle has been won and yet we are still in the fight — we know the ending — Jesus overcomes evil!

Whoooo hooo — let us fight today like victorious soldiers of Christ that we are!

Please share!