V
The Words of Jesus of Nazareth
An Invitation to Life
A wealthy man planned a great banquet, and invited many guests. When the preparations were completed, he sent his servant to gather those who had been invited. "Come,” he said, “for all things are ready."
But all those who had been invited began to make excuses.
The first replied: "I have just purchased a piece of land, and I must go and look at it again. Please have me excused."
The second said: "I have just purchased a herd of cattle, and I must go and examine it. Please have me excused."
A third answered: "I have recently been married, and for this, I cannot attend."
Finally, the servant returned and reported what had happened. Hearing the disappointing news, the master commanded: "Go quickly into the streets of the city, and gather the poor, the lame, the ill, and the blind."
The servant hurried to do this and soon returned, saying: "Sir, I have done as you commanded, and still there is room at the table."
"Go then," the rich man replied, "along the highways and among the fields, and urge those you meet to come in, that my table might be filled. For I say to you: none of those that were originally invited will taste of the banquet that I had prepared for them."
Whoever hears my word and believes in the One who has sent me will find eternal life and not be condemned. Instead, they will pass from death unto life.
V
Abba, Father, Lord God, time, under the sun what else is there that we can give freely no matter what our state, what is more precious. For only You know how long the dash between our physical birth and death will be. Thankful I wake each day and grateful I close my eyes each night, realizing, knowing that by Your grace and mercy I walk and will wake again. In this process I find the essence of humility in realizing, knowing that without You I can do nothing, and as St. Paul writes ‘do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than myself.’ Thus as read my Lord Jesus’ parable about the wealthy man who planned a great banquet and invited many guest, I see and find myself as those to selfish, to prideful, to occupied by the busyness under the sun to remember to keep You first as a wake, walk and when I close my eyes at night, above all, in faith, hope and love, and with my time. Always listening, always seeking, always asking and praying that I will remember to put and keep You in Jesus with the Spirit first, answering Your invitation with the time I spend seeking and serving You. In the name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, Amen.
V
If I love Jesus, I ought to resemble Him; If I love Jesus, I ought to love what He loves, what He does, what He prefers to all else: humility. How may we acquire this virtue? Neither logic or reflection will help us any; thinking nice thoughts about it or taking heroic resolutions would lead us to believe we had already acquired it, and we would content ourselves with that. We must examine our actions to see if we not sought our own interest in them. Let us repeat often, "Jesus, so humble of heart, make our hearts like unto thine."
— St. Peter Eymard
V
3 For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee, 6 as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ.
Psalm 105:2-7
4 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually!
Luke 15:1-10
V
Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon
Ask and It Is Given, Volume 1: The Law of Attraction Unabridged By Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks Narrated by Jerry Hicks – Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll come to understand how the Universal laws that govern your time/space reality influence your relationships, health issues, finances, career concerns, and more. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!
The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II By John Cornwell Narrated by John Lee – Pope John Paul II is one of the most famous and influential political figures of the world. Now, best-selling author and journalist John Cornwell has written an accessible and provocative portrait of this highly charged figure, focusing primarily on the last five years and the major world events, and scandals within the Church that have impacted the papacy. The result is a thoughtful assessment of John Paul II’s legacy to the Church. In an age when many people see the Catholic Church as an institution in crisis, Cornwell raises the level of debate by posing difficult questions; chief among them is the effectiveness of a system that grants lifetime power to an individual vulnerable to the vicissitudes of aging and illness.
V
One Walk 