Archive for August, 2007

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Prayer & Readings – "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"

August 18, 2007

When: Saturday, August 18, 2007 8:30 AM-9:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Dear Lord God, how today’s reading remind me of my time under the sun, first Joshua reminds me of all my broken promises to You, the many times I promised to follow and obey, I would try to make deals; if You help me with this, I would do that. Yet knowingly I disobeyed and sinned against You and others. I put other things first and made things under the sun my god and closed my heart to You, I believed I could find want I wanted under the sun and then return to You. But through my Lord Jesus Christ I was saved and found redemption; I was awakened to the reality of my beliefs and Your presence inside me. It became clear to me that I was sacrificing myself for the ways and things under the sun; for under the sun as Solomon proclaimed all is vanity and all is temporary, the only permanence is the loss of ourselves and the experience of You. Through Jesus I was able to find forgiveness and learn to forgive, and most of all forget. One of the first verses that penetrated my heart and engulfed my spirit was Joshua 24:15 and I too proclaimed "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD". This became and continues my vision and quest, my hope and prayer as a legacy. I now walk under the sun according to Psalm 16 I take refuge in You, I know I have no good apart from Thee, You are my chosen portion and my cup, You give me counsel and instruction, I practice Your presence, I seek Your will and pray that I will fulfill Your purpose for me. I realize as Jesus taught in Matthew 19:14 that it is only when I allow myself to be like a child that I am closet to You. Wisdom and knowledge are things we seek as we grow, but only get in the way; it is the innocence of a child that I need to seek, for it is in that state that I can be closest to You. So while I need to be capable to witness and testify the Gospel, it is the innocence and total dependence of a child that I must practice and share. O Lord God thank You, in Jesus name I ask and pray for Your continued blessings, counsel and instruction, Amen.
But I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the authority of the Catholic Church already moved me.
— St. Augustine, Contra epistolam Manichaei
14 "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if you be unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." 16 Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; 17 for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; 18 and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land; therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God." 19 But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve the LORD; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good." 21 And the people said to Joshua, "Nay; but we will serve the LORD." 22 Then Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him." And they said, "We are witnesses." 23 He said, "Then put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel." 24 And the people said to Joshua, "The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey." 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem. 26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a great stone, and set it up there under the oak in the sanctuary of the LORD. 27 And Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God." 28 So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance. 29 After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being a hundred and ten years old.
1 Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee." 5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot. 7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 11 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.
13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; 14 but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.
 
 

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Prayer & Readings – New Possibilities – With regard to doing the will of the Lord, even if someone should be scandalized by what we do, we must not let that hamper our freedom of action.

August 17, 2007

When: Friday, August 17, 2007 7:30 AM-8:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Dear Lord God, this morning I woke to the thoughts of the last few weeks, to the visions of seeing Your hand at work in my life despite all my weaknesses, hang-ups, mistakes and most of all continued focus on what I was or did rather than on what is possible with and through You. So just as the poem goes , as I look back and see one set of foot prints, I know they where Yours because You were carrying me. So I feel I must write this prayer to complete this chapter and begin the new possibilities I have created for myself; the possibility of being powerful and peaceful while creating an abundant life that is focused on You and Your will and purpose for my life. I realized this morning that while in this body that houses my being during my time under the sun, there will be many distractions and obstacles that I created and that just happen, but I can feel Your presence in the moments when it is just You and me; in the morning when I wake, at night as I close my eyes, and during the day when I allow You, I can feel Your to carrying me. These are the moments I seek to exist in, these are the moments I wish to share. So in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I give thanks and praise, letting all the glory and honor of my time, actions, words and thoughts be Yours. Amen
 
With regard to doing the will of the Lord, even if someone should be scandalized by what we do, we must not let that hamper our freedom of action.
— St. Basil the Great
1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, `Your fathers lived of old beyond the Euphra’tes, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac; 4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Se’ir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. 5 And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it; and afterwards I brought you out. 6 Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea; and the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7 And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did to Egypt; and you lived in the wilderness a long time. 8 Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan; they fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you. 9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel; and he sent and invited Balaam the son of Be’or to curse you, 10 but I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he blessed you; so I delivered you out of his hand. 11 And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the men of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Per’izzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Gir’gashites, the Hivites, and the Jeb’usites; and I gave them into your hand. 12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. 13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you had not built, and you dwell therein; you eat the fruit of vineyards and oliveyards which you did not plant.’

Psalm 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 17 to him who smote great kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 18 and slew famous kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 22 a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
Matthew 19:3-12
3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?" 4 He answered, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh‘? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery." 10 The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry." 11 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."
 
 

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Prayer & Readings – New Possibilities – With regard to doing the will of the Lord, even if someone should be scandalized by what we do, we must not let that hamper our freedom of action.

August 17, 2007

When: Friday, August 17, 2007 7:30 AM-8:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Dear Lord God, this morning I woke to the thoughts of the last few weeks, to the visions of seeing Your hand at work in my life despite all my weaknesses, hang-ups, mistakes and most of all continued focus on what I was or did rather than on what is possible with and through You. So just as the poem goes , as I look back and see one set of foot prints, I know they where Yours because You were carrying me. So I feel I must write this prayer to complete this chapter and begin the new possibilities I have created for myself; the possibility of being powerful and peaceful while creating an abundant life that is focused on You and Your will and purpose for my life. I realized this morning that while in this body that houses my being during my time under the sun, there will be many distractions and obstacles that I created and that just happen, but I can feel Your presence in the moments when it is just You and me; in the morning when I wake, at night as I close my eyes, and during the day when I allow You, I can feel Your to carrying me. These are the moments I seek to exist in, these are the moments I wish to share. So in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I give thanks and praise, letting all the glory and honor of my time, actions, words and thoughts be Yours. Amen
 
With regard to doing the will of the Lord, even if someone should be scandalized by what we do, we must not let that hamper our freedom of action.
— St. Basil the Great
1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, `Your fathers lived of old beyond the Euphra’tes, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac; 4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Se’ir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. 5 And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it; and afterwards I brought you out. 6 Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea; and the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7 And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did to Egypt; and you lived in the wilderness a long time. 8 Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan; they fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you. 9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel; and he sent and invited Balaam the son of Be’or to curse you, 10 but I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he blessed you; so I delivered you out of his hand. 11 And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the men of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Per’izzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Gir’gashites, the Hivites, and the Jeb’usites; and I gave them into your hand. 12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. 13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you had not built, and you dwell therein; you eat the fruit of vineyards and oliveyards which you did not plant.’
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 17 to him who smote great kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 18 and slew famous kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 22 a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures for ever;
3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?" 4 He answered, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh‘? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery." 10 The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry." 11 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."
 
 

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Prayer & Readings – The Transfiguration of the Lord – "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

August 6, 2007

When: Monday, August 06, 2007 7:30 AM-8:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Dear Lord God, thank You for all Your blessings and for this new opportunity, guide my thoughts, actions and words and help me to excel for You; all the glory and honor is Yours. I am but a humble sinner seeking Your will, content in that state. Help me to focus on one issue at a time and not to let myself be distracted by the noise under the sun. Help me to not let myself stand in the way of being there for others. Open my ears, eyes and heart to those in need, let Your grace and mercy flow through me. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.
When it’s God speaking…..the proper way to behave is to imitate someone who has an irresistible curiosity and who listens at keyholes. You must listen to everything God says at the keyhole of your heart.
— St. John Vianney
9 As I watched, Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10 A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, 14 He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Bible Study: [1-27] The significance of this vision is the same as that of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2; see note on Daniel 2:36-45. To the four succeeding world kingdoms, Babylonian, Median, Persian, and Greek, is opposed the messianic kingdom of the people of God. The imagery of this chapter has been used extensively in the Revelation of St. John, where it is applied to the Roman empire, the persecutor of the Church. [7-8] Alexander’s empire was different from all the others in that it was Western rather than Oriental in inspiration. The ten horns represent the kings of the Seleucid dynasty, the only part of the Hellenistic empire that concerned the author. The little horn is Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.), the worst of the Seleucid kings, who usurped the throne. [9-10] A vision of the heavenly throne of God (the Ancient One), who sits in judgment (symbolized by fire) over the nations. Some of the details of the vision, depicting the divine majesty and omnipotence, are to be found in Ezekial 1. [13-14] One like a son of man: in contrast to the worldly kingdoms opposed to God, which appear as beasts, the glorified people of God that will form his kingdom on earth is represented in human form (Daniel 7:18). Just as our Lord applied the figure of the stone hewn from the mountain to himself (Daniel 2:36-45), he also made the title "Son of Man" his most characteristic way of referring to himself, as the One in whom and through whom the salvation of God’s people came to be realized.
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
1 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! 2 Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. 9 For thou, O LORD, art most high over all the earth; thou art exalted far above all gods.
Bible Study: [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Psalm 97:1-6); cf Psalm 18:8-16; Micah 1:3-4; Hebrews 3:3-15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Psalm 97:7-9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Psalm 97:10-12).
2 Peter 1:16-19
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," 18 we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Bible Study: [12-19] The purpose in writing is to call to mind the apostle’s witness to the truth, even as he faces the end of his life (2 Peter 1:12-15), his eyewitness testimony to Christ (1 Peter 1:16-18), and the true prophetic message (2 Peter 1:19) through the Spirit in scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21), in contrast to what false teachers are setting forth (2 Peter 2). [13] Tent: a biblical image for transitory human life (Isaiah 38:12), here combined with a verb that suggests not folding or packing up a tent but its being discarded in death (cf 2 Cor 5:1-4). [16] Coming: in Greek parousia, used at 2 Peter 3:4, 12 of the second coming of Christ. The word was used in the extrabiblical writings for the visitation of someone in authority; in Greek cult and Hellenistic Judaism it was used for the manifestation of the divine presence. That the apostles made known has been interpreted to refer to Jesus’ transfiguration (2pe 1:17) or to his entire first coming or to his future coming in power (2 Peter 3). [17] The author assures the readers of the reliability of the apostolic message (including Jesus’ power, glory, and coming; cf the note on 2 Peter 1:16) by appeal to the transfiguration of Jesus in glory (cf Matthew 17:1-8 and parallels) and by appeal to the prophetic message (2 Peter 1:19; perhaps Numbers 24:17). Here, as elsewhere, the New Testament insists on continued reminders as necessary to preserve the historical facts about Jesus and the truths of the faith; cf 2 Peter 3:1-2; 1 Cor 11:2; 15:1-3. My Son, my beloved: or, "my beloved Son." [18] We: at Jesus’ transfiguration, referring to Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1).

Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli’jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli’jah" — not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Bible Study: [28-36] Situated shortly after the first announcement of the passion, death, and resurrection, this scene of Jesus’ transfiguration provides the heavenly confirmation to Jesus’ declaration that his suffering will end in glory (Luke 9:32); see also the notes on Matthew 17:1-8 and Mark 9:2-8. [28] Up the mountain to pray: the "mountain" is the regular place of prayer in Luke (see Luke 6:12; 22:39-41). [30] Moses and Elijah: the two figures represent the Old Testament law and the prophets. At the end of this episode, the heavenly voice will identify Jesus as the one to be listened to now (Luke 9:35). See also the note on Mark 9:5. [31] His exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem: Luke identifies the subject of the conversation as the exodus of Jesus, a reference to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that will take place in Jerusalem, the city of destiny (see Luke 9:51). The mention of exodus, however, also calls to mind the Israelite Exodus from Egypt to the promised land. [32] They saw his glory: the glory that is proper to God is here attributed to Jesus (see Luke 24:26). [33] Let us make three tents: in a possible allusion to the feast of Tabernacles, Peter may be likening his joy on the occasion of the transfiguration to the joyful celebration of this harvest festival. [34] Over them: it is not clear whether them refers to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, or to the disciples. For the cloud casting its shadow, see the note on Mark 9:7. [35] Like the heavenly voice that identified Jesus at his baptism prior to his undertaking the Galilean ministry (Luke 3:22), so too here before the journey to the city of destiny is begun (Luke 9:51) the heavenly voice again identifies Jesus as Son. Listen to him: the two representatives of Israel of old depart (Luke 9:33) and Jesus is left alone (Luke 9:36) as the teacher whose words must be heeded (see also Acts 3:22). [36] At that time: i.e., before the resurrection.
 
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Prayer & Readings – The Transfiguration of the Lord – "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

August 6, 2007

When: Monday, August 06, 2007 7:30 AM-8:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Dear Lord God, thank You for all Your blessings and for this new opportunity, guide my thoughts, actions and words and help me to excel for You; all the glory and honor is Yours. I am but a humble sinner seeking Your will, content in that state. Help me to focus on one issue at a time and not to let myself be distracted by the noise under the sun. Help me to not let myself stand in the way of being there for others. Open my ears, eyes and heart to those in need, let Your grace and mercy flow through me. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.
When it’s God speaking…..the proper way to behave is to imitate someone who has an irresistible curiosity and who listens at keyholes. You must listen to everything God says at the keyhole of your heart.
— St. John Vianney
9 As I watched, Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10 A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, 14 He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Bible Study: [1-27] The significance of this vision is the same as that of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2; see note on Daniel 2:36-45. To the four succeeding world kingdoms, Babylonian, Median, Persian, and Greek, is opposed the messianic kingdom of the people of God. The imagery of this chapter has been used extensively in the Revelation of St. John, where it is applied to the Roman empire, the persecutor of the Church. [7-8] Alexander’s empire was different from all the others in that it was Western rather than Oriental in inspiration. The ten horns represent the kings of the Seleucid dynasty, the only part of the Hellenistic empire that concerned the author. The little horn is Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.), the worst of the Seleucid kings, who usurped the throne. [9-10] A vision of the heavenly throne of God (the Ancient One), who sits in judgment (symbolized by fire) over the nations. Some of the details of the vision, depicting the divine majesty and omnipotence, are to be found in Ezekial 1. [13-14] One like a son of man: in contrast to the worldly kingdoms opposed to God, which appear as beasts, the glorified people of God that will form his kingdom on earth is represented in human form (Daniel 7:18). Just as our Lord applied the figure of the stone hewn from the mountain to himself (Daniel 2:36-45), he also made the title "Son of Man" his most characteristic way of referring to himself, as the One in whom and through whom the salvation of God’s people came to be realized.
1 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! 2 Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory. 9 For thou, O LORD, art most high over all the earth; thou art exalted far above all gods.
Bible Study: [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Psalm 97:1-6); cf Psalm 18:8-16; Micah 1:3-4; Hebrews 3:3-15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Psalm 97:7-9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Psalm 97:10-12).
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," 18 we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Bible Study: [12-19] The purpose in writing is to call to mind the apostle’s witness to the truth, even as he faces the end of his life (2 Peter 1:12-15), his eyewitness testimony to Christ (1 Peter 1:16-18), and the true prophetic message (2 Peter 1:19) through the Spirit in scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21), in contrast to what false teachers are setting forth (2 Peter 2). [13] Tent: a biblical image for transitory human life (Isaiah 38:12), here combined with a verb that suggests not folding or packing up a tent but its being discarded in death (cf 2 Cor 5:1-4). [16] Coming: in Greek parousia, used at 2 Peter 3:4, 12 of the second coming of Christ. The word was used in the extrabiblical writings for the visitation of someone in authority; in Greek cult and Hellenistic Judaism it was used for the manifestation of the divine presence. That the apostles made known has been interpreted to refer to Jesus’ transfiguration (2pe 1:17) or to his entire first coming or to his future coming in power (2 Peter 3). [17] The author assures the readers of the reliability of the apostolic message (including Jesus’ power, glory, and coming; cf the note on 2 Peter 1:16) by appeal to the transfiguration of Jesus in glory (cf Matthew 17:1-8 and parallels) and by appeal to the prophetic message (2 Peter 1:19; perhaps Numbers 24:17). Here, as elsewhere, the New Testament insists on continued reminders as necessary to preserve the historical facts about Jesus and the truths of the faith; cf 2 Peter 3:1-2; 1 Cor 11:2; 15:1-3. My Son, my beloved: or, "my beloved Son." [18] We: at Jesus’ transfiguration, referring to Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1).
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli’jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli’jah" — not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Bible Study: [28-36] Situated shortly after the first announcement of the passion, death, and resurrection, this scene of Jesus’ transfiguration provides the heavenly confirmation to Jesus’ declaration that his suffering will end in glory (Luke 9:32); see also the notes on Matthew 17:1-8 and Mark 9:2-8. [28] Up the mountain to pray: the "mountain" is the regular place of prayer in Luke (see Luke 6:12; 22:39-41). [30] Moses and Elijah: the two figures represent the Old Testament law and the prophets. At the end of this episode, the heavenly voice will identify Jesus as the one to be listened to now (Luke 9:35). See also the note on Mark 9:5. [31] His exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem: Luke identifies the subject of the conversation as the exodus of Jesus, a reference to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that will take place in Jerusalem, the city of destiny (see Luke 9:51). The mention of exodus, however, also calls to mind the Israelite Exodus from Egypt to the promised land. [32] They saw his glory: the glory that is proper to God is here attributed to Jesus (see Luke 24:26). [33] Let us make three tents: in a possible allusion to the feast of Tabernacles, Peter may be likening his joy on the occasion of the transfiguration to the joyful celebration of this harvest festival. [34] Over them: it is not clear whether them refers to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, or to the disciples. For the cloud casting its shadow, see the note on Mark 9:7. [35] Like the heavenly voice that identified Jesus at his baptism prior to his undertaking the Galilean ministry (Luke 3:22), so too here before the journey to the city of destiny is begun (Luke 9:51) the heavenly voice again identifies Jesus as Son. Listen to him: the two representatives of Israel of old depart (Luke 9:33) and Jesus is left alone (Luke 9:36) as the teacher whose words must be heeded (see also Acts 3:22). [36] At that time: i.e., before the resurrection.
 
 
Your brother in Christ Jesus, Richard
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Prayer & Readings – Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity… because sometimes a man who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by a man who did not toil for it.

August 5, 2007

When: Sunday, August 05, 2007 7:30 AM-8:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Dear Lord God, O the words of Solomon, he asked for wisdom and You gave it to him, and yet with all the wisdom and all his riches of the world, he cries out all is in vain if not with and in You. So then why is it that under the sun we seek to make the same mistake, to think that wisdom will bring us knowledge and knowledge wealth and wealth happiness; only to find without You emptiness. O Lord God You sent us Your only Son Jesus to teach and show us the way; away that is not of our own but of dependence on You through Him. Well he I sit blessed again by Your mercy and grace, unworthy as I am, seeking Your guidance, strength and courage to treat each moment, take each step, meditate in each thought on You, Your will and Your purpose. For there and only there will I find what I seek, without wisdom, or knowledge of how or why, just rest and peace, content in knowing that moment that carries me forward with You in me and me in You; seeking no more and no less that simply that state. Let my reflection be the image of this state and let this image be a light that others will see You as the source. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.
O most sweet Jesus, who came into this world to give to all souls the life of your grace, and who, to preserve and increase it in them, willed to be the daily remedy of their weakness and the food for each day, we humbly beseech you, by your heart so burning with love for us, to pour your divine Spirit upon all souls in order that those who have the misfortune to be in the state of mortal sin may, returning to you, find the life of grace that they have lost. Through this same Holy Spirit, may those who are already living by this divine life devoutly approach your divine table every day when it is possible, so that, receiving each day in Holy Communion the antidote of their daily venial sins and each day sustaining in themselves the life of your grace and thus ever purifying themselves the more, they may finally come to a happy life with you. Amen.
— Pope St. Pius X
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

21 because sometimes a man who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by a man who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 What has a man from all the toil and strain with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of pain, and his work is a vexation; even in the night his mind does not rest. This also is vanity.
Bible Study: [2] Vanity of vanities: a Hebrew superlative expressing the supreme degree of futility and emptiness. [3] Under the sun: used throughout this book to signify "on the earth." [3] Though my mind . . . wisdom: while indulging in pleasure the author hopes to discover wherein man’s true happiness consists.[24] Unrestrained indulgence is not advocated here, but legitimate pleasure and the cheerfulness it begets.
Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17
3 Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, "Turn back, O children of men!" 4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. 5 Thou dost sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning: 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on thy servants! 14 Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Bible Study: [Psalm 90] Of Moses – A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Psalm 90:1), the psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Psalm 90:2-6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Psalm 90:7-12). The psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Psalm 90:13-17).
Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices 10 and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth’ian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
Bible Study: [1-4] By retaining the message of the gospel that the risen, living Christ is the source of their salvation, the Colossians will be free from false religious evaluations of the things of the world (Col 3:1-2). They have died to these; but one day when Christ . . . appears, they will live with Christ in the presence of God (Col 3:3-4). [8-10] Put . . . away; have taken off; have put on: the terms may reflect baptismal practice, taking off garments and putting on new ones after being united with Christ, here translated into ethical terms.
Luke 12:13-21
13 One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me." 14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?" 15 And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; 17 and he thought to himself, `What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, `Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Bible Study: [13-34] Luke has joined together sayings contrasting those whose focus and trust in life is on material possessions, symbolized here by the rich fool of the parable (Luke 12:16-21), with those who recognize their complete dependence on God (Luke 12:21), those whose radical detachment from material possessions symbolizes their heavenly treasure (Luke 12:33-34). [21] Rich in what matters to God: literally, "rich for God."
 

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Prayer & Readings – Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity… because sometimes a man who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by a man who did not toil for it.

August 5, 2007

When: Sunday, August 05, 2007 7:30 AM-8:00 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 
Dear Lord God, O the words of Solomon, he asked for wisdom and You gave it to him, and yet with all the wisdom and all his riches of the world, he cries out all is in vain if not with and in You. So then why is it that under the sun we seek to make the same mistake, to think that wisdom will bring us knowledge and knowledge wealth and wealth happiness; only to find without You emptiness. O Lord God You sent us Your only Son Jesus to teach and show us the way; away that is not of our own but of dependence on You through Him. Well he I sit blessed again by Your mercy and grace, unworthy as I am, seeking Your guidance, strength and courage to treat each moment, take each step, meditate in each thought on You, Your will and Your purpose. For there and only there will I find what I seek, without wisdom, or knowledge of how or why, just rest and peace, content in knowing that moment that carries me forward with You in me and me in You; seeking no more and no less that simply that state. Let my reflection be the image of this state and let this image be a light that others will see You as the source. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.
O most sweet Jesus, who came into this world to give to all souls the life of your grace, and who, to preserve and increase it in them, willed to be the daily remedy of their weakness and the food for each day, we humbly beseech you, by your heart so burning with love for us, to pour your divine Spirit upon all souls in order that those who have the misfortune to be in the state of mortal sin may, returning to you, find the life of grace that they have lost. Through this same Holy Spirit, may those who are already living by this divine life devoutly approach your divine table every day when it is possible, so that, receiving each day in Holy Communion the antidote of their daily venial sins and each day sustaining in themselves the life of your grace and thus ever purifying themselves the more, they may finally come to a happy life with you. Amen.
— Pope St. Pius X
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
21 because sometimes a man who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by a man who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 What has a man from all the toil and strain with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of pain, and his work is a vexation; even in the night his mind does not rest. This also is vanity.
Bible Study: [2] Vanity of vanities: a Hebrew superlative expressing the supreme degree of futility and emptiness. [3] Under the sun: used throughout this book to signify "on the earth." [3] Though my mind . . . wisdom: while indulging in pleasure the author hopes to discover wherein man’s true happiness consists.[24] Unrestrained indulgence is not advocated here, but legitimate pleasure and the cheerfulness it begets.
3 Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, "Turn back, O children of men!" 4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. 5 Thou dost sweep men away; they are like a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning: 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on thy servants! 14 Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Bible Study: [Psalm 90] Of Moses – A communal lament that describes only in general terms the cause of the community’s distress. After confidently invoking God (Psalm 90:1), the psalm turns to a complaint contrasting God’s eternity with the brevity of human life (Psalm 90:2-6) and sees in human suffering the punishment for sin (Psalm 90:7-12). The psalm concludes with a plea for God’s intervention (Psalm 90:13-17).
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices 10 and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth’ian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
Bible Study: [1-4] By retaining the message of the gospel that the risen, living Christ is the source of their salvation, the Colossians will be free from false religious evaluations of the things of the world (Col 3:1-2). They have died to these; but one day when Christ . . . appears, they will live with Christ in the presence of God (Col 3:3-4). [8-10] Put . . . away; have taken off; have put on: the terms may reflect baptismal practice, taking off garments and putting on new ones after being united with Christ, here translated into ethical terms.
13 One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me." 14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?" 15 And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; 17 and he thought to himself, `What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, `Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
Bible Study: [13-34] Luke has joined together sayings contrasting those whose focus and trust in life is on material possessions, symbolized here by the rich fool of the parable (Luke 12:16-21), with those who recognize their complete dependence on God (Luke 12:21), those whose radical detachment from material possessions symbolizes their heavenly treasure (Luke 12:33-34). [21] Rich in what matters to God: literally, "rich for God."
 

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