One Walk

Dear Lord God, practicing Your presence in all things is on my mind and heart today; not feeling anxious or fearful about what tomorrow will bring, but focused on Your will and doing the best I can where ever You place me, is and I think it has always been my goal. But under the sun we are surrounded by wolves that feed off of weaker and or gentler spirits. So I see the road ahead divides into to paths, and as the poem goes one is well traveled, the other is narrower and far less traveled. 

            Then I read today’s Selling Among Wolves article titled Poor Wise Men Have No Voice – where Ecc 9:16 is quoted "Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” The article goes on to say, ‘We are called to excellence; and when we excel we will experience financial reward. Yes, Jesus was our example and yes, He did suffer unimaginably. He told us that the servant is not above the master and we should expect that all who live godly will suffer persecution. But is that the whole counsel of God on the matter? I think not. Jesus walked among us for 33 years. He didn’t come to set up a business. He came to save the world. And yet, how much of that time was spent suffering? It certainly wasn’t His daily lifestyle.’ As motivational as this sounds, I cannot help but it seems to be missing something. I mean excellence and financial reward do not always go together under the sun. But excellence just for Your sake is, doing my best for You Lord God and loving and care for those spirits You put in my path must be reward enough. If You choose to bless me with the rewards under the sun, then that to is a gift from You.

            I am drawn to verses 5:41-42 of Matthew ".. if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously." Under the sun I think true excellence for You Lord God is being able to give all in the secular world, knowing that we will not always receive our reward under the sun, and some times the wolves will take our reward as theirs. But to continue to pursue excellence knowing this, is excellence in itself. O Lord that You would continue Your work within me, open my eyes and heart to knew secrets and truths, and help me to be excellent for You alone! In Jesus name I ask and pray, Amen.

God fashioned man with his own hands [that is, the Son and the Holy Spirit] and impressed his own form on the flesh he had fashioned, in such a way that even what was visible might bear the divine form.

— St. Irenaeus

Acts 16:22-34

22 The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s fetters were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.

Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8

1 I give thee thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing thy praise; 2 I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word. 3 On the day I called, thou didst answer me, my strength of soul thou didst increase. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me. 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands.

Bible Study: [Psalm 138] Of David – A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Psalm 138:1-3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Psalm 138:4-6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Psalm 138:7-8).

John 16:5-11

5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, `Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Bible Study: [5] Not one of you asks me: the difficulty of reconciling this with Simon Peter’s question in John 13:36 and Thomas’ words in John 14:5 strengthens the supposition that the last discourse has been made up of several collections of Johannine material. [8-11] These verses illustrate the forensic character of the Paraclete’s role: in the forum of the disciples’ conscience he prosecutes the world. He leads believers to see (a) that the basic sin was and is refusal to believe in Jesus; (b) that, although Jesus was found guilty and apparently died in disgrace, in reality righteousness has triumphed, for Jesus has returned to his Father; (c) finally, that it is the ruler of this world, Satan, who has been condemned through Jesus’ death (John 12:32).

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Dear Lord God, strengthen Your presence in me so that there will be more of You and less on me; it is Your image that I seek to reflect. The fruit of the vine that can only be produced when I am connected to You, and through the Spirit You are actively at work within me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

God [the Son] did not impede death from separating his soul from his body according to the necessary order of nature, but has reunited them to one another in the Resurrection, so that he himself might be, in his person, the meeting point for death and life, by arresting in himself the decomposition of nature produced by death and so becoming the source of reunion for the separated parts.

— St. Gregory of Nyssa

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 "Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, `Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’; and `His office let another take.’ 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us — one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab’bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi’as. 24 And they prayed and said, "Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place." 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi’as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.

Bible Study: [1-26] This introductory material (Acts 1:1-2) connects Acts with the Gospel of Luke, shows that the apostles were instructed by the risen Jesus (Acts 1:3-5), points out that the parousia or second coming in glory of Jesus will occur as certainly as his ascension occurred (Acts 1:6-11), and lists the members of the Twelve, stressing their role as a body of divinely mandated witnesses to his life, teaching, and resurrection (Acts 1:12-26). [18] Luke records a popular tradition about the death of Judas that differs from the one in Matthew 27:5, according to which Judas hanged himself. Here, although the text is not certain, Judas is depicted as purchasing a piece of property with the betrayal money and being killed on it in a fall. [26] The need to replace Judas was probably dictated by the symbolism of the number twelve, recalling the twelve tribes of Israel. This symbolism also indicates that for Luke (see Luke 22:30) the Christian church is a reconstituted Israel.

Psalm 113:1-8

1 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore! 3 From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised! 4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! 5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, 6 who looks far down upon the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

Bible Study: [Psalm 113] A hymn exhorting the congregation to praise God’s name, i.e., the way in which God is present in the world; the name is mentioned three times in Psalm 113:1-3. The divine name is especially honored in the temple (Psalm 113:1) but its recognition is not limited by time (Psalm 113:2) and space (Psalm 113:3), for God is everywhere active (Psalm 113:4-5) especially in rescuing the lowly faithful (Psalm 113:7-9).

John 15:9-17

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 This I command you, to love one another.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine." [13] For one’s friends: or: "those whom one loves." In John 15:9-13a, the words for love are related to the Greek agapao. In John 15:13b-15, the words for love are related to the Greek phileo. For John, the two roots seem synonymous and mean "to love"; cf also John 21:15-17. The word philos is used here. [15] Slaves . . . friends: in the Old Testament, Moses (Deut 34:5), Joshua (Joshua 24:29), and David (Psalm 89:21) were called "servants" or "slaves of Yahweh"; only Abraham (Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chron 20:7; cf James 2:23) was called a "friend of God." [15:18-16:4] The hostile reaction of the world. There are synoptic parallels, predicting persecution, especially at Matthew 10:17-25; 24:9-10.

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Dear Lord God, today’s message ‘to carry out the will of the Father Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth’. O Lord such an uplifting thought, such a righteous principal to think of doing; that is until it conflicts with the ways under the sun and our fallen nature. I believe connection to You through Jesus Christ is our only path, but it is a narrow door and all of our senses must be tuned into Christ, His teachings, his words, His ways. This requires such knowledge of Christ and practice of His presense. Well today I have a test and I ask that You produce in me the fruit of the vine and spirit. Let thy will be done in me and with me; more than opening myself up to this I do not know what to do. So guide and direct me Lord God, I am Your humble servant, Your servant through Jesus Christ. Amen

To carry out the will of the Father Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth.

— Lumen gentium

Acts 16:1-10

1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Ico’nium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 6 And they went through the region of Phry’gia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come opposite My’sia, they attempted to go into Bithyn’ia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so, passing by My’sia, they went down to Tro’as. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedo’nia was standing beseeching him and saying, "Come over to Macedo’nia and help us." 10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedo’nia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Bible Study: [3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19-23). [7] The Spirit of Jesus: this is an unusual formulation in Luke’s writings. The parallelism with Acts 16:6 indicates its meaning, the holy Spirit. [10-17] This is the first of the so-called "we-sections" in Acts, where Luke writes as one of Paul’s companions.

Psalm 100:1-3, 5

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations

[Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them. [3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God.

John 15:18-21

18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [15:18-16:4] The hostile reaction of the world. There are synoptic parallels, predicting persecution, especially at Matthew 10:17-25; 24:9-10. [20] The word I spoke to you: a reference to John 13:16. [21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Matthew 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus.

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Dear Lord God, today as I pray for You to work Your will through me, I think of others in need of prayer, the hope of the power of my prayer and how I must broaden my focus so that Your work in me begins to serve others more quickly and continually as Your work in me rather than after. I realize the simplicity yet difficulty in understanding and living the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel; ‘peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.’  I meditate on the secret truths that I feel You are revealing to me through the history of the Church as depicted with the Holy Book of the Bible as we know it and the other books that have become known to us. I am reminded of all the misuses of Your words, and of the value of the Holy Trinity and the need to be aware of the Holy Spirit that lives within us, the words of Jesus Christ as the Son of man, and the power of Your voice which lives in those words of Jesus and is available to us through the Holy Spirit within if we seek and learn to listen a discern Your will from ours. For I believe the words in today’s readings from the book of Acts in the letter to the Gentiles that ‘it seemed good to the Jerusalem Council through the Holy Spirit that no greater burden be necessary’; for to open the door to our hearts and to welcome You into our hearts so that we may learn to love and serve others in Your name is Your will. I discuss these thins with You Lord God in hope that You would guide my thoughts and direct my words and actions In Christ’s name for Your glory and honor. Amen.

The whole Trinity appeared: the Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit in the shining cloud.

— St. Thomas Aquinas, STh III

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab’bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 with the following letter: "The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili’cia, greeting. 24 Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

Bible Study: [1-35] The Jerusalem "Council" marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing. [13-35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1-10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lev 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem "Council" that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time).

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

Bible Study: [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Psalm 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

10 And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Bible Study: [22] Christ is present throughout the church; hence, no temple is needed as an earthly dwelling for God; cf Matthew 18:20; 28:20; John 4:21.

John 14:23-29

23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe.

Bible Study: [27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation salom; but Jesus’ "Shalom" is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing. [28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is "a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" (John 8:40).

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Dear Lord God, no one can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other; you cannot serve both God and money is what I awake to today. While I have been wrestling with this message in my head for some time now, since my meeting at work last Tuesday, it has begun to crystallize, and again this Tuesday and yesterday as I listened to the new evening radio host on 88.1 WayFM talk about the past year of his life leading up to his being offered and taking the job at a Christian station rather than a more high paying one within traditional radio. O Lord God it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, so why do we chase the things under the sun that will only become obstacles for us. So I looked up the actual verses Matthew 6:23-25 and Luke 12-14, and Matthew 19:23-25, Mark 10:24-26 and Luke 18:24-26, actual verses are listed below, and what jumps out at me is the differences between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. First the use of ‘no one’ vs. ‘no servant’ can serve two masters; then the use of ‘again I tell you’ and ‘indeed’ by Matthew and Luke prior to it is easier, JUMPS out at me. It is like the difference in a statement of fact, faith and belief (acceptance) in within the scriptures. It is like Jesus is first telling it to me, then reminding me and finally acknowledging it to me as I believe and accept it. This is all to familiar with Father Guys Homily recent about faith being more powerful and true that fact. It is like You are first telling me a fact, ‘no one can serve two masters’, and then making it a statement of faith, ‘no servant can serve two masters’, leaving it to me to decide to believe and accept what I want to be a, believer and or true servant for no servant can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other, I cannot serve both You God and money. The same is true based on what I decide to be and do, You first tell me a fact ‘It is easier’, then make it a statement of faith by saying ‘again I tell you, it is easier’, and finally a statement of decision and acceptance ‘indeed, it is easier’ leaving me to realize then accept that if I continue to choose money or wrestle with the decision I may never become wealthy or rich and I will likely sacrifice my second chance, or it will definitely be harder for me to remain in Your kingdom. O Lord the depths of Your knowledge and wisdom amaze and confuse me; help me! Dear Lord Jesus help me! O my Jesus I need Your help! Hear my cries, listen to my prayers, do not let me waste any more time trying to do what is not Your will and purpose. The time is now for You to help me decide and to open the next door and let be the narrower one. In Jesus name I beg, ask and pray, Amen.

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Luke 16:13

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Matthew 19:24

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:25

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:25

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him.

— St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio 40

Acts 15:7-21

7 And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." 12 And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, 16 `After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, 17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, 18 says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."

Bible Study: [7-11] Paul’s refusal to impose the Mosaic law on the Gentile Christians is supported by Peter on the ground that within his own experience God bestowed the holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household without preconditions concerning the adoption of the Mosaic law (see Acts 10:44-47). [11] In support of Paul, Peter formulates the fundamental meaning of the gospel: that all are invited to be saved through faith in the power of Christ.

Psalm 96:1-3, 10

1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Bible Study: Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Psalm 96:1-3), who is the sole God (Psalm 96:4-6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Psalm 96:7-10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Psalm 96:11-13). This psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Isaiah 40-55, as does Psalm 98. Another version of the psalm is 1 Chron 16:23-33.

John 15:9-11

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine."

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Dear Lord God, John 15:1-8 are some of my favorite verses as they reflect the secret truth of what we are and why. You have proven to me that Your will, will be done and that You have a purpose for each of us and we must realize this truth and seek Thy will and that purpose. The secret is not that as our Source of Source we must be and remain in and connected to You, but how we do this; for under the sun the ways of the world work against Your will and that purpose. We truly are Your children and we must remain as just that no matter what our stage under the sun. For the ‘eyes of faith’ with which see our way are best when we view the world as children. O Lord God that You would help me remain child like in faith, hope and love; living as fruit of the vine, reflecting fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. For against such things there is no law, way or person under the sun that can be victorious over us if we remain in You and You in us. O Lord Jesus create in me a new heart each morning, purified by Your Words and strengthened in my faith, hope and love for and in You. Amen. 

The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God.

— Council of Toledo XI (675)

Acts 15:1-6

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni’cia and Sama’ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Bible Study: [1-35] The Jerusalem "Council" marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing. [1-5] When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation. [6-12] The gathering is possibly the same as that recalled by Paul in Gal 2:1-10. Note that in Acts 15:2 it is only the apostles and presbyters, a small group, with whom Paul and Barnabas are to meet. Here Luke gives the meeting a public character because he wishes to emphasize its doctrinal significance (see Acts 15:22).

Psalm 122:1-5

1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" 2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

Bible Study: Of David [Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Psalm 122:1-3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Psalm 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Psalm 112:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf Psalm 48:13-15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Psalm 112:6-9)!

John 15:1-8

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine." [2] Takes away . . . prunes: in Greek there is a play on two related verbs. [6] Branches were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard for later use as fuel.

/      raangulo

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Dear Lord God, create in me a clean and pure heart. Cleansed by forgiveness, forgiveness of my sins and my forgiveness of those that have sinned against me, separating any memory of both as far as the east is from the west. Pure in my intentions for others, absent of my self serving, selfish and prideful ways, full of Your wisdom and confident in the knowledge of these intentions. This I ask in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

For Holy Mother Church, relying on the faith of the apostolic age, accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the Old and the New Testaments, whole and entire, with all their parts, on the grounds that, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author, and have been handed on as such to the Church herself.

— Dei Verbum the Word of God

Acts 14:19-28

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Ico’nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Ico’nium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisid’ia, and came to Pamphyl’ia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attali’a; 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Bible Study: [23] They appointed presbyters: the communities are given their own religious leaders by the traveling missionaries. The structure in these churches is patterned on the model of the Jerusalem community (Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:18).

Psalm 145:10-13, 21

10 All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O LORD, and all thy saints shall bless thee! 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power, 12 to make known to the sons of men thy mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of thy kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Bible Study: Of David [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Psalm 145:1-3, 21). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Psalm 145:10-20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.

John 14:27-31

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence.

Bible Study: [1-31] Jesus’ departure and return. This section is a dialogue marked off by a literary inclusion in John 14:1, 27: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." [27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation salom; but Jesus’ "Shalom" is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing. [28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is "a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" (John 8:40).

/      raangulo

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